So it’s that time of year again when people will resolve to do better, to live better, to be better; but how? No matter how good my intentions, no matter how much willpower I can summon, no matter how much blood sweat and tears I put in, I always fail in one way or another. But this time, I realized a few things before the New Year that helped me to refocus and get back on track mentally. In a way, it helped me to have a fresh start in the new year.
There were a lot of things I learned over the past few months, but it all boiled down to one thing: my motives had shifted from good to selfish. I was using the gifts God has given me, but I was doing it for my personal satisfaction instead of God’s glory. God put me here on this earth to love and serve Him; but if my heart isn’t right, my service is meaningless because I am not serving Him first. A genuine love for God will naturally overflow and manifest itself as love for other people, and that love for people will manifest itself as service that will last in eternity. But if the compass of my heart is pointing towards me, I can be doing all the right things for all the wrong reasons and no amount of good work will mean anything to God. This is why Scripture says to constantly be renewing our minds, and it’s the only real motive check. You and I are constantly bombarded by lies from the world, so it is of extreme importance to be continually washing away the lies of the world with the truths of God’s Word. I want my work to last; I don’t want to get to the end and have accomplished nothing of eternal value.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” -Romans 12:2
Proclaiming His Goodness 