Well, it’s 2018 now and you probably saw the title of this blog and thought, “oh no, not another person trying to guilt me into keeping my New Year resolutions…” I assure you, I’m not here to tell you to cut those carbs or stop that spending. Instead, I’m writing this blog in the hopes that you’ll change your perspective on New Year resolutions, and see them as an opportunity not to stop doing, but to start doing.

We all want to cut sinful and harmful acts from our lives, and we make promises to ourselves to do so at the beginning of each year. We tell ourselves to stop eating, drinking, gossiping, etc, and while it is indeed commendable to work toward bettering ourselves in that way, those resolutions are ongoing and are not new resolutions for the New Year. Starting off the New Year by telling yourself what not to do seems negative and uninspiring. Why not start the year instead by promising to do something new, exciting, and impactful?

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 tells us, “Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

Try not to see 2018 as the year you improve upon yourself physically or materialistically. Look ahead and see this New Year as an opportunity to “walk in the ways of your heart.” Learn more, impact others more, and do things you think you’ll love. Pray more, glorify God more, and seek out a purpose that inspires you. Resolve to fill your free time and empty spaces with passions you’ve never pursued. Yes, maybe eating less bread and shopping less will help you down the road, but it shouldn’t be the main focus for this year. This could be the year you gain insight into your greater purpose, using and cultivating the gifts God provided you.

I’ve heard some people resolve to learn new languages, to read new books, to donate more time to causes dear to their hearts, and to new causes that will one day become dear. I am resolving to spend more time reading my bible, to devote more time to those I love, and to develop myself in a new Church community.

Romans 8:28 tells us, “…we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Are you called? Are your heart and spirit moving you toward a new interest or challenge?