A Thrill of HopeSample

There is a Relient K song called ‘I Celebrate the Day’. There’s a part in the song that is about how they are only half as close to the growth they wanted to have after the year that has been. I have listened to this song every Christmas and New Year for nearly 20 years (yes, I still have the CD in my car!). Every time I listen to it, I quickly pray: God would that not be me this next year. Would you please help me to grow, and would I be consistent in my grace driven efforts this year so that I may know you more and love you more as a result.

I might not be the best person to write about Goals and Habits. I live a life of routine, but I find goal and habit setting really intimidating, and to be honest, not super fun. But what I have tried to commit to when being a person of routine, is seeking who God wants me to be a year from now. Keeping that front of mind helps me make decisions across the year when I am trying to be more like Him. The goal isn’t to be able to check off habits each week, or month. The goal, as per Paul's writing, is Jesus Christ. It’s running the race, and finishing it. How do we get to this time next year faithfully, looking more like Jesus? One day at a time. Wake up with confidence that God’s mercies are new each morning.

Today, ponder this: Who do you think God wants you to be this time next year? What is one thing you could do today or tomorrow to work towards that?