A New Year, A New You

The New Year is here! And, what do most people do, they make New Year's resolutions. They can be anything from getting out of debt, giving more of their time or their money, going on diets to lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more, work harder, work less, spend more time with family or friends and these are just to name a few. These are all good goals! However, what if we took this year and made it about, how we could BE better? What if we decided to walk in more love towards others? What if we decided to make decisions based on what God wanted for us rather than what felt good to us? What if we chose to walk in peace and joy in spite of the situations we may encounter this year? What if we decided to be a better spouse, a better parent, a better child, Pastor or friend? What if we decided to be better employees at work or better servants at church or in our communities? What if instead, we decided to be better in Mind, in Body and in Spirit! What if you started a new journey this year to become what you were created to be and do what you were created to do? That we started living on purpose and with passion!

You know, there is a plan and a purpose for your life, Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know that plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future"! Our God has a specific plan for you! A plan that will prosper you in every area of your life. A plan that comes with free counsel and free guidance. All we have to do is listen! What if you decided to truly figure out what that plan is that He has for you? Instead of going through the motions of life this year, what if you purposefully started to truly think through your next steps and allowing God to guide you? What if you went to work every day because you loved your job rather than because it was a good way to make money. When we do what God created us to do, the money will follow us, why, because He is our provider.

Here's another question to ask yourself, how fun are you to be around? Are you the same inside your home when no one is watching that you are in the public eye or in church? Are you one that when someone looks at you they see a negative person, someone always with issues, someone bitter or angry, or do they see someone joyful, someone at peace regardless of their circumstances, someone who laughs and is fun to be around? If you are a Christian, and you are not walking in Joy, who would want the God you serve? You see, good and bad happens to ALL of us, how you handle it is what separates us and makes people want what we have!

I believe these are good questions to ask ourselves! We were created human "beings" NOT just human "doings". God created us to BE, not to just DO! There are so many things I think we do just to do them. But how are you "being"? Are you "being" the way that would be pleasing to God and attracting others?

I believe that 2015 is the Year of New Beginnings! Let's start with us. Maybe, just maybe, as we focus on ourselves and what God calls us to do and has called us to be, just maybe, it will affect those around us, those in our circle of influence! As we change for the better, it will cause others to want to change for the better because they will want what we have, HIM!

In 2015, let's make are lives a reflection of who God is... Peace, Joy and Love! Let's walk in the steps He walked... in grace and forgiveness towards others! For when we do, we will experience life the way God intended it. We do not want to be the same next year at this time... He, God, is forever wanting us to change for the better so we can reflect that He is in our lives!

Happy New Year... Until next time!