I met Bill and Kristi Gaultiere at their ministry exhibit in Nashville, Tennessee last year. Their ministry, Soul Shepherding, provides spiritual direction events and resources. Here is Bill’s article advising New Year’s renewal rather than “resolutions.”
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Have you ever made (and kept) a New Year’s resolution?
It’s safe to say most of us have been tossed around by the stereotypical cycle of trying hard to grow — optimism, striving, fizzling out, becoming discouraged, and giving up.
Usually, our resolutions — even spiritual ones — end in failure by mid-February! It leaves us wondering: Is real change even possible?
It’s refreshing to know that true transformation in Christlikeness cannot be accomplished without Christ! Becoming healthy and whole in our apprenticeship to him only happens by partnering with grace (Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:13).
Instead of being rigidly resolute you can learn to experience renewal with Christ each year. I call this a “New Year’s renewal.”
What’s the difference between a resolution and renewal? Resolutions are about straining, while renewals are about training with Jesus inside his easy yoke (Matthew 11:28-30).
A New Year’s renewal always centers around one thing — better yet, the One Thing. It overflows from a desire to be devoted to Christ with your entire being (Matthew 22:37-40).
- It’s requesting with David, amid frightening trials and longsuffering, to dwell in the house of the Lord above everything else (Psalm 27:4).
- It’s setting aside all distractions with Mary for the one thing that really matters — adoring and worshiping Jesus (Luke 10:41-42).
- It’s disregarding all achievements with Paul to discover the one thing, knowing Christ, that surpasses even other noteworthy ambitions (Philippians 3:7-10).
Posturing your heart in this way prepares you for renewal. Then you can ask the Lord about the work he wants to do in your life and how you can partner with him to become like him.
As you wait on the Lord, he’ll show you an obstacle (like a place of hurt, need for soul care, unhelpful habit, etc.) that needs to change so you can become more centered on Christ as your One Thing.
But how can you make authentic changes in your life? The vision to express love for God from a pure heart, overcome worry or anger, rejoice in trials, or pray without ceasing sounds incredible. But it’s also challenging. Even impossible!
Real character change — learning, growing, or healing — happens through training with Jesus to encounter his transformational love and power.
What does this look like? A helpful starting place is to practice grace-filled spiritual disciplines to create a meeting space for you and the Good Shepherd. Here, you can look to Jesus as your Coach and “work out” with him. This is what Paul means when he advises, “Train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7).
You could start this year with the spiritual training program of Scripture meditation. Scripture meditation is not simply reading or studying the Bible. It’s approaching God’s Word slowly and prayerfully — letting the words sink from your head to your heart by the power of the Spirit.
You can ask God to draw you to verses that specifically apply to the obstacle in your life that keeps you from more deeply experiencing him as the One Thing. They will become the medicine to your soul and vitamins to your life in Christ. As you digest them (over days, weeks, or even months), you will discover healing and growth.
There are also other things you can do to set aside distractions and focus on the One Thing. You might consider starting your year by joining us for a 5-day Institute retreat to set aside everything else and learn how to flourish with Jesus. Talking to a spiritual director is also a powerful way to find help discerning Jesus’ movement in your heart, so you can follow his lead and grow closer to him.
Praying you fall madly in love with the Only One Who Matters this year.
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