Renewing Faith in the New Year

Although there is nothing in the Bible about New Year’s resolutions, many Christians choose this time of year to become closer to the Lord. They may re-commit themselves to pray more, to read the Bible, or to attend church more regularly.

Here are some New Year’s resolutions that will improve your spiritual health:

Practice Gratitude

Cultivating a grateful heart is the hallmark of a Christian steward. Every day, express thankfulness to the Lord and to others. Seeing the good in your life will allow you to keep your heart compassionate and loving.

(Check out the Gratitude Journal group on Zion’s Table)

Encounter the Lord Each Day

Find time to be with the Lord each day, whether it be for an hour or ten minutes. Have a conversation with the Lord. Give your joys and worries to Him as well. Allow God’s love to transform them. Our encounters will keep our eyes and ears open to the presence of Christ in our midst.

Nurture Friendships

Our friends are those with whom we choose to be, those with whom we spend our evenings, with whom we vacation, and those to whom we go for advice. Friends are gifts from God who give us a greater appreciation of God’s love for us. Friends need our time and love.

Give Time

Zion can use your talents. Help us to Celebrate on Sundays, Live God’s Call or Connect with Care. Offering your talents to your faith community is one of the most effective ways to feel useful and connected to others, and it is a potentially life-changing New Year’s resolution.

Give Money

Good stewards realize that everything they have is entrusted to them as gifts to be shared. There is no better place to begin than sharing with the community that gathers around the Lord’s table.

Don’t Give Up

People give up their New Year’s resolutions because of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. So take it slow, be kind to yourself and keep trying. You succeed through small, manageable changes over time. Ask the Lord for guidance, strength and perseverance in achieving your resolutions. In his letter to the Philippians, Saint Paul writes: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13). If God is the center of our New Year’s resolutions, they’re meant to succeed.