6 Steps to a New You in 2021
This is that time of year when we start thinking about making changes – “new year, new you” and all that. This is a good time to ask yourself, what do I want to be different this year?
Really. Sit with that for ten minutes. Let your heart surface. Write it down.
And then…take it to Jesus in prayer. Lord, come into this. Show me the way. Give me the first step or the next step.
As you do that, I would like to challenge you to consider doing a couple of things as we head into 2021.
1. Ask Jesus, “What is the theme of this year, Lord?”
I do this every year, and it has proven a mighty rescue many times over.
My word for this year is Encounter. I look forward with great anticipation as to what this has in store for me.
I would encourage you to do the same.
So ask Jesus, “What is the theme of this year, Lord?” And when he speaks, write it down! Post it- in very big letters- somewhere you will see it often.
2. Pray the “Daily Prayer.”
It's not a magic wand or a lottery ticket, but the folks who have made a practice of this will tell you it has been HUGE for them.
It’s so simple, really. But a rescue. A breakthrough. It clears the fog. And so much more. You can find a printable version in our resources section below.
3 Get yourself into some sort of community.
I know, I know, it's hard. It's messy. It is never ever exactly what you want. But you need it anyway.
Look at Jesus. Even the Son of God chose to live in community with a handful of men and women because he needed to.
Now, community is not 500 people on Sunday morning. That can be awesome, but you need fewer people in your life than that.
Start a group.
Take the risk.
Invite some folks over and spend three months going through some of our older messages. Just give it three months, and see what Jesus does.
4. Take the battle seriously.
Too many folks are still trying to live as though there are only two big players in their life – them and God. And they’re mad that God isn’t coming through more often.
Friends, enough with the naiveté.
You live in a spiritual world that is at war, and that war is heating up. Live like it! Fight back!
There is more freedom than you ever thought possible…but only if you fight back.
Stop interpreting hassles as merely “hassles.” Stop thinking things will get better with time. This is war (spiritually) – live like it!
5. Take your healing seriously.
Yes, you can have a new year, new you. You can.
If you’ll take your healing, your inner healing, seriously, you’ll find restoration for your soul.
We’ve all taken hits in 2020, and our souls are in great need of wholeness and freedom and life.
Well…it isn’t going to happen unless you pursue it! Practice healing prayer or seek out counseling.
Ask Jesus, “What do I need to do for my healing and restoration? What do you have for me, Lord? Where are you leading?”
With a whole heart, you are unstoppable. With a wounded heart, you are limping along. With a broken heart, you are very, very vulnerable.
And finally,
6. Fall in love with God again.
There’s a reason “love God with everything that is within you” is the first and greatest command. Nothing in life works right until we practice this.
But when we fall in love with God and love him with everything we are, it is the single greatest act of re-orientation we could ask for – the single greatest shift towards wholeness, happiness, life and clarity that any person could ever choose.
But the funny thing is, even among God’s own people, very few actually make this the main thing. Friends – this is the main thing.
Thanks for listening to a little fatherly counsel, and I hope 2021 is not just another year for you. I pray it is the start of a new and better you as well.
RESOURCES
