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“The best is yet to come.”
Frank Sinatra who was quoted as saying this got the right idea that better things lay ahead – but what’s the catch?
There doesn’t have to be, especially this year, because good things are ahead if you take hold of them first. For Christians who believe in a higher power, Jesus, the thought of a new year brings new feelings of redemptive powers, a fresh start, and another chance to make lay aside old things and walk into all things new.
Starting anew means walking into sometimes unfamiliar territories that stretch us. It’s uncomfortable at times to put into practice the common new year’s resolutions of eating right, getting fit or focusing on career growth. Spiritual goals and resolutions for some might look like praying more, reading the Bible or having a deeper relationship with God. All of these good intentions require discipline and determination that leads to stretching and growing.
Sheila Alewine, author of the article, Fight Spiritual Distractions with These 5 Tips, wrote that being distracted cannot only throw people off course but could lead to an unfulfilled life. No one wants that in 2022.
Stopping Distractions in the New Year
“There are many things that can cause us to be led astray from our devotion to Christ,” Alewine wrote. “All of us know people who were once passionate about following Jesus, but either abandoned their faith completely or spend a lifetime struggling to develop a consistent, spiritually mature walk. You might be one of those people.”
She also asks if God is concerned when we are distracted? The answer is yes.
“For the eyes of the Lord move to and from throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His,” 2 Chronicles 16:9 notes.
In 2022, let it be the year of living distraction-free lives moving in a purpose bigger, and deeper, beyond ourselves.
“Our diligence and loyalty are important to God,” she notes.
Some tips to help live a more intentional, God-filled life include:
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
- Make a purposeful decision every day to keep the focus on Jesus.
Spend Time in Prayer and Reading God’s Word Regularly
- One common new year’s resolution for many is to have a deeper relationship with God. What does that look like practically?
- For starters, spending time in God’s Word and having a devoted prayer life are non-optional things that are needed to have a relationship with God.
Let the World Take a Backseat
- “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:15-16 reminds people to choose who they will serve every day.
Be Accountable to a Local Church Home
- Hebrews 10:23-25: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
- “We were never meant to do life alone,” Alewine noted, adding that being a spiritual loner is not healthy and it’s better to find a solid, biblical church and commit to fulfilling “your part in the body of Christ.”
Re-examine Your Life’s Mission and Go After It
- Every Christ-follower has a duty and fulfillment to bring to fruition: “To make Jesus known and bring glory to God.”
- That will look different to different people but find out what that is and genuinely pursue it.
- “Ask God to help you clarify what it is that He has uniquely made you and equipped you to do in His kingdom work,” the author adds. “What is your mission? Write it down and refer to it often. It will simplify your life and allow you to live in undistracted devotion to Jesus.”