The beginning of each New Year is traditionally given to self-examination and recommitment to being more productive in society – especially for those who are Kingdom-dwellers. Hopefully, these suggestions will be helpful toward A New Year and a New You!
Review your potential. The Lord believes in you and has a special place to use your talents in the Kingdom. You are specifically described in His parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), with your productivity level on the chart. Read this gem for your job assignment and do not sell yourself short. Your Lord evaluates you as “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13,14) and expects you to make a difference in the lives of others as you “let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Recommit yourself to service. Remember the day of your baptism and the commitment you made to become a marching soldier in the Lord’s Army. Remember that you were washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (I Corinthians 6:11). Recommit to reality: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Renew your efforts. “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead…press onward to the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13,14). Reclaim your neglected opportunities: “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest” (John 4:35).
Revive the weak and faint-hearted. Reach out, touch and lift up those who have fallen. Study this: “Brethren, if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2) – then go. All instructions for self-examination and proper approach are included. Adhere to this prescription from the Great Physician for desired healing.
Remain constant in service. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58).
With these in place, you will experience A New Year and a New You!
Now, you take it from there!
