You are probably sick of hearing about resolutions by now. Personally I do a lot of ‘resolution’ type thinking throughout the year. I am constantly evaluating and re-evaluating, tweaking and adjusting, and looking forward at adjusted goals based on lessons learned. I really enjoy this thought process because it fuels growth in all areas of my life.
Since ‘resolution thinking’ is constant for me I do not take the time to write down new ideas each January. However, I do make it one of my intentional inventory seasons because it is such a good time to make adjustments in personal and ministry life. I know that your life probably looks different and that constant evaluation may not be a neurotic tendency that you share with me.
Do you have a “resolution?”
What is the one thing that someone could do in 2015 that would have the greatest impact on their life? This is the question that I want to answer today. If a person has not began a relationship with Jesus then that would be the obvious and easy answer. However, if you are someone who has a relationship with Jesus and are looking for the most important thing for you then the question could become a little more tricky.
Someone might say that prayer is the answer. Prayer is very important and it is a necessary element in our spiritual journey. Someone else might say they need to focus on giving sacrificially, which would also be a great answer.
I believe the greatest thing you could do to impact your life in 2015 would be to grow in your ability to experience the presence of Christ through His Word – the Bible. I believe that growing in your ability to soak in the scriptures will enflame your prayer life. I also believe that growing in your ability to soak in the scriptures will challenge your giving.
Learning how to go deeper in our time with Christ through His Word will inevitably change every part of us. We will be transformed by Him through His Word.
Where are you on this journey of growing deeper? If you have not begun then just begin by reading a chapter of John’s gospel each day. Just beginning the journey is an enormous victory. If you already have a routine then leverage some time to truly meditate (maybe journal) on your reading. The goal is not just to read but to invite the Holy Spirit to take those words and transform us.
What if 2015 was a year that you really savored the presence of Christ each day through spending quality time in His Word? What an amazing year that would be!
Do you have some lessons learned or practices that you could share below which might help others on this journey?
Have there been some things that have worked really well for you personally and other things that have not?
It would be a blessing for others to hear those as they are on their own unique journey…
Matt Powell serves as teaching pastor at Crossings Community Church, a body of believers whose mission is to engage, equip, and empower homes for gospel transformation in Katy, TX.