As the end of the year rolls around, it is always a good time to begin thinking about goals for the upcoming new year. People usually think about weight loss goals, organization goals and goals to save money and pay off credit card debt from the holidays. All of those are good goals.
But what about spiritual goals and God-centered goals? I’m not just talking about reading the Bible everyday and checking it off of our list. I’m talking about true goals to show God’s love to others.
I’m talking about LOVING more.
I’m talking about GIVING more.
I’m talking about PRAYING more.
I’m talking about TRUSTING more.
For me Romans 12:9-21 was a great group of scriptures to read and then set my New Year’s goals based on LOVING more, GIVING more, PRAYING more and TRUSTING more – TRUSTING that God has it covered.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
In each of these verses I found there are guidelines for NEW YEARS GOALS just waiting for me to set! Goals like:
1) Be kind to all people. Show love to everyone. ( based on verses 9-10; 14-20)
2) Give to others as much as possible both in time, money and deeds. Invite people other than those I usually hang out with into my home. Spend more quality time with people. (based on verses 11 and 13)
3) Spend more time in prayer. (vs 12)
4) Trust that God’s in control no matter what the situation. (based on verses 12, 14, 19 and 21).
Those are just examples for me and some things I want to work on in the coming year. I challenge you to look for some of your favorite verses in the Bible and then create some New Year’s goals around them. Live your life with such joy that people want to know how to get what you have – and then you can tell them.
Be the light that shines throughout the world in 2015! Happy New Year! Happy Goal Setting!
Awesome idea–builidng goals around favorite scriptures! So creative!!!