It is the inevitable time of year in which we list out ways to change ourselves and become the version of “me” we wish to be. How do you make that list when you have no idea what the next year holds? I’ve been reading countless blogs from racers who are on the field and alumni that have been to the countries my team will be traveling to in order to attempt some level of preparation and understanding of the spiritual warfare I may have to face.
After a lot of thought, I’ve come to a few resolutions that I want to lean into this year as the Lord changes my heart and my entire perspective on life.
1. New Year, No Me. Every year, I make resolutions that inexorably fail. When I was in sixth grade, the strangest resolution I made was to wear my hair in a ponytail every day for that year. That was surprisingly the closest I’ve ever come to succeeding at keeping a resolution. What I’ve come to realize is that all these goals that I’ve made are about me. They are about bettering myself in some superficial way and don’t penetrate the surface. In the coming year, I want to live a more biblical life and die to myself to put on Christ in full.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. -Luke 9:23
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. -Galatians 5:24
2. Be reckless. One of my favorite worship songs is Reckless Love by Bethel and it so beautifully describes God’s heart for His children (see lyrics below). I want to be just as reckless in my pursuit of God as He is for me. When I come home next December, I don’t want to bring any regret with me. One thing I’ve learned in my lifetime is that you never look back and wish you had done less (unless we’re talking about eating chocolate cake). I intend to be intentionally uncomfortable next year and leave everything I have within the hearts of the people we encounter.
When I was your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth
You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me
Oh, The overwhelming, never-ending
Reckless love of God
Oh, It chases me down
Fights ’til I’m found
Leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it
And I don’t deserve it
Still you give yourself away
Oh, The overwhelming, never-ending
Reckless love of God
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
3. Love with abandon. Abandon means complete lack of inhibition or restraint. When Jesus instructed us to fulfill the Great Commission, He didn’t add stipulations to whom we are to reach. He said to make disciples of ALL nations. All nations, to me, means all people including those that no one else wants to love. I can’t begin to fathom how many lives I will cross paths with, but I just want to love the world the way Jesus does. I don’t want to see people through my human eyes, but rather through the lens of grace with which God initially looked upon me. I want to love people when it doesn’t make sense because it never made sense for God to love us the way He does.
In your own resolutions this year, I encourage you to seek God first. Ask Him where He wants to change you rather than coming up with a plan to change yourself. It is terrifying and intimidating to ask God for change because He always delivers, but it is also the most worthwhile step you can take to find fulfillment and peace.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds my future.
