Happy New Year!

Each year seems to present a fresh start with the calendar’s beginning. Aspirations abound as we contemplate our goals and set in place noble plans for success.

Are you someone who takes inventory of your past life’s year and attempts to restock yourself, so to speak? Do you fill up your mind with hopes for your health, your mental state, your relationships, your activities, your work… Each is worth assessing; they play off of each other and affect daily life.

Have you considered what affects each day this year and the next and the next ad infinitum? You know it – your relationship with Jesus! Developing this relationship takes time, in quantity and quality.

I admit, it can seem easier to work on our health or our hobbies, because these have visible results. Plus, it’s more comfortable to tell others you are going to the gym or working on a project.

But, a spiritual workout does have noticeable and lasting effects!

Did you remember that the Holy Spirit is joining you as humbly come before the Lord to grow in his presence? The effects of working on your relationship with God are felt, practiced, and received. You sense the Spirit working in you as you read Scripture and pray. You put into practice that which you hide in your heart. You share with others the fruit the Spirit as it is developed in you.

Make a new daily habit of time spent in the Word, in prayer, and in praise. As it becomes part of your routine, you will not want to go without it! You will realize that your relationship with Jesus is vital as you live out each day of your year.

Speaking of goals, be sure to line up your goals with God’s desires for you. He would not ask you to do anything that is against his character or his ways, and he wants you to live to your potential with how he designed you!

Aspire to live to the fullest and to God’s glory!