Submitted by Pastor Kailea Nauman, First Christian Church 

This new year offers us new opportunities to re-invent ourselves and many people do. We call them New Year Resolutions although many give up on them by the middle of January and almost all are finished by February. We start with good intentions but often there is no follow through with these resolutions. Maybe we start too big. We say, “Go big or go home,” but maybe the secret is starting small. One step at a time, one day at a time and for some, one breath at a time depending on the thing we are trying to change. 

We have the right intentions, to better ourselves, our situations, our health, but often times we get discouraged because we start big and don’t see instant results. We live in an instant culture so of course we would want to see this in our lives as well. But unlike phones, food, or banking, we are people and we are not instant. 

The good news is that we are already a new creation if we are in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ He is a new creation.”

And then 1 Peter 1:3 – “Praise be to the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

We are already new but we don’t always live that way. My challenge to all of you is if you want to see real change in your life that you will really seek the Lord like you have never before. Spend more time praying during the day, undistracted and uninterrupted prayer. Then spend time in God’s Word. If you already do that, then spend an additional 15 minutes a day in His Word and invite the Holy Spirit to speak understanding into your life and heart. The last challenge is to spend five minutes a day praising the Lord in song. If you already do this, give Him five more minutes. If you want a different life, to change your circumstance, who better to seek than the one who gives life?

My prayer is that if you do these things, you will actually find a New Year and a new you, but one that you want to continue seeking because you will find Jesus and He is life. Start small and see God do a big work in you. 

Blessings to you all.