Setting Your Sights On Something New

If you are like most people, the resolutions that you set for yourself on January 1 are probably long forgotten. If not, you are in the minority, so congratulations! Every year, most people set out to change themselves for the better, and every year, most people do nothing different from the year before. They don’t read their books. They don’t stick with a workout. They don’t go to church. They don’t look for that new job. Things just stay the same.

Putting Off the Old and Putting on the New

Each December, I try to reflect on my year and begin planning out goals for the next year. I try to pick one primary goal for several areas of my life, such as physical, spiritual, work, educational, etc. I compartmentalize my goals so as not to overwhelm myself.

Studies have shown that focusing on 1-4 goals at a time increases your chances of achieving them, rather than trying to change multiple aspects of your life, complete a project, or accomplish whatever it is you’re trying to change. Because of these goals I have set for myself, I have actually seen lasting impacts in my life, even to this day.

One particular goal I remember setting several years ago was to pray with my wife on a daily basis. I have done that for so long now that I didn’t even remember it had been a goal I set for myself until I came across an old sheet of yearly goals I had written out one year. This has had a life-changing impact on my spiritual life and my marriage.

Another goal I distinctly remember setting for myself was trying to hit my Apple Watch fitness goals every day. That kept me motivated to stay active every day, and eventually it became a regular part of my life. Setting goals is so important for growth. If we aren’t growing, what’s the alternative? Atrophy? Discontentment? Stagnation?

Now, I’m not perfect by any means. I don’t hit every goal I set for myself, but I actively work towards them. I set them because I want to constantly improve. I don’t like to sit still. I don’t necessarily like change, but I don’t like going backwards either. Change is hard; it’s not easy.

However, I want to keep moving forward, especially spiritually, as Hebrews 12:1-2 says:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Keep pushing. Keep striving. Keep up the good fight. I want to keep moving forward until the Lord calls me home one day. While life is full of ups and downs, curveballs, and roadblocks, and our journey may sometimes feel like a roller coaster instead of a hike, we continue to move closer to God with each day that goes by–as long as we continue to pursue him.

By setting goals for myself, I am keeping myself engaged with my surroundings, whether it’s my relationship with the Lord, my physical wellbeing, or something I want to achieve at work.

Looking Back to Reflect on the Old

Once I have my goals for the current year established, I like to print them off and keep them in a binder so I can reflect on them down the road. By doing this, I can see the progress I have made and the areas I still need to work on. I do this because I wouldn't be able to see where I started if it weren't written down. Paul says to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 4:20-24:

“But that is not the way you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true rightness and holiness.”

In the verses to follow, he lists out several things to put behind them, such as lying, anger, theft, dishonest work, corrupt words, bitterness, and slander. All of these things oppose the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

But how would we know how far God has brought us if we didn’t have our past selves to look back on? We were once outcast Gentiles who have now been brought into the fold because of God’s grace. Because of His grace, our eyes were opened to a new way of life.

Looking Forward

One goal that is always fun and challenging is to read through the Bible in a year. I’ve done this a few times now, and every time I do it, I am surprised by how much new information I gather. The Holy Spirit speaks to me in new ways every time I read through it, even though I’ve already read the pages before! By trying to read through the Bible each year, my mind is constantly being renewed by the Holy Spirit.

During our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting that we did at church this year, renewal of the Spirit was one thing I prayed specifically for as we entered this year with a baby (an answer to last year’s 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting). I want my mind to be renewed continually and to start the year off fresh. I want everything I do or say to reflect Jesus. I want to lead my family in a way that honors Him. I’ve been praying for a renewal in how I see myself and others, to view them as Jesus Christ would.

As I've allowed the Holy Spirit to renew my mind, He has opened so many doors and enabled me to see things from a totally new perspective. He can do the same for you. Just think of where you were ten years ago. Are you the same person you were, or have you grown and matured in your walk with Christ?

If your life looks very similar to the way things were a decade ago, ask the Lord to come in and renew your mind. I can tell you that He has created an entirely new person within me compared to a decade ago.

Back in 2016, I was living for the Lord, but I had not fully committed my life to Him. I still held onto pretty much every area of my life—I wanted that control. My music, my friends, my job, my identity: none of it was very focused on what He wanted. Life felt directionless.

In 2017, I received a wakeup call and rededicated my life to Jesus. I have still made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I fully trust Him with everything! All he wants from us is our hearts. I’ve walked through my share of valleys over the last decade, but I’ve walked through my share of mountaintops as well. I would not have made it through either had it not been the grace of God.

One of my favorite inspirational quotes is, “Goals are dreams with a deadline.” This is so true! Without a deadline, our goals stay in Dreamland. You may not reach all your goals this year, and that’s okay. But even now, stop and look back at where you were 365 days ago. Does your life look different? Ask yourself, “Am I still living with that anger, deception, or hatred? Or have I allowed the Holy Spirit to come into my life and renew me?”

You don’t have to start with a goal to move a mountain. You can start small, like setting a goal to read through the Gospels in a month or even memorizing Psalm 23. Put on that new self and let go of the old. A renewed mind can start today. Follow God’s lead and see what He can do for you in a year! Allow Him in and find that renewal you’ve been seeking.