Ah, January! A month of new beginnings! A chance for a fresh start in every area of our lives! Our hopes soar, our spirits lift–it’s a chance to begin again!
So now that it’s a new year, what resolutions did you make? Have you been able to keep them so far? For just a moment, let’s imagine it’s now December 31st, 2008. How did your year go? What did you change? What got better? What stayed the same?
For many of us, this year will hold some special events and even a few surprises. Some of us may have a child graduate from school and we’ll experience the proverbial “empty nest”. Other of us may change jobs–planned or unexpected, and maybe even move to a new city. Certainly, we’ll all face some unexpected challenges.
Not so? Ask yourself what happened this year you weren’t expecting? You see, how we begin a year has a lot to do with how we finish. To embrace a successful 2008, our minds must be set, our spirits determined, and our hearts ready for what the Holy Spirit wants to do in us and through us this year.
In Genesis, we find a story about one of the best fresh starts in history! It’s the story of Adam and Eve. Their future was set. No sin in the world. Everything was perfect. All they had to do was obey one little rule…and despite their best intentions, they blew it.
God had a wonderful plan for their lives, and Satan knew it. You see, as terrible as it may sound, Satan also had a plan for their lives, and he has a plan for us in 2008! He attacked Eve where she was most vulnerable. She desired the wisdom she needed but thought she didn’t possess. Her heart longed to please her husband. Unfortunately, good intentions never seem to justify disobedience.
For Adam, he chose instant approval over eventual accomplishment. He wanted to see respect in Eve’s eyes, but he knew better than the choice he made. Once he ate the fruit, both of their eyes were opened, and shame entered the picture.
Fear and shame are never from God. Never. Adam and Eve responded to God’s question in the garden, “Why were you hiding?” with the response, “We hid because we were naked.” But they weren’t naked at all. They had already made clothing. But in our human insecurities, we always feel as if people can see right through us.
Fear is one of Satan’s biggest weapon’s that holds us back from fulfilling our destiny. What are we afraid of? Afraid we’ll fail? Afraid we won’t meet expectations? Afraid we’ll disappoint someone else? Maybe even ourselves?
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) says “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” The Holy Spirit is ready to give us what we need to succeed in life: power, love and self-discipline. So based on these three areas, here’s five keys to having a great 2008!
First, embrace God’s grace as our only way to true satisfaction. Grace is really God’s strength operating in our lives to help us do things we can’t accomplish by ourselves. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 that the key to having true power is realizing our complete weakness. We can’t do anything on our own, but through Christ, we can accomplish anything!
Second, realize the crucial importance of having life-giving relationships. Adam and Eve’s casual friendship with the serpent led to their failure. Though we’re called to love everyone, we must be careful about whom we allow close enough to influence our daily lives.
Third, be excited to engage in the process of personal, spiritual growth. Again, Paul said, “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” Sometimes, regardless of the cost, it’s just time to grow up.
Fourth, be aware of our attitude in every situation, whether large or small. How we respond under pressure is a direct measure of our personal spiritual growth. How are we doing?
Finally, treasure our time and guard it wisely. Maybe we should allow our priorities to determine our calendar, and not the other way around!
More than we do, God desperately wants to help us experience a fresh start. Let’s allow Him to help us make 2008 our best year yet!