As we start thinking about New Year’s resolutions, let’s first consider the gifts God has given us and how we might use those gifts this year…
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
Our God is not one to withhold blessings. Each and every one of us has received many blessings, as well as many gifts. These good gifts may look like skills at work, at play, or in the home. No matter what they are, they are a blessing.
It’s the beginning of the year and many of us will be looking at creating goals for the year. Maybe they’ll be personal goals like getting stronger, eating less sugar, or reading the Bible in its entirety. Or maybe they’ll be more outward-focused: committing hours to a food pantry, helping out at church, or taking on new responsibilities at work.
These goals sometimes play on our weaknesses (e.g. mine to eat less sugar), but they can also play to our strengths.
What if this year, your goals were based on the gifts God gave you rather than the things you lack?
Using God’s gift for good
If you have a head for numbers, maybe you can volunteer to do the books at church. Maybe you have skills in sports and can coach an inner city soccer or Little League team. Or does your gift make you the person to go to at work, leaving you in an unofficial leadership position that can be used for God’s glory?
How can you bless others with the gifts you’ve been given? How can you make this year’s resolutions about extending yourself to show God’s grace and power, rather than your own?
New Year’s goals often focus on what we lack and how to make ourselves better by sheer force of will. But we can also focus on what we’ve been gifted with, too. We can look at what we do a little better than those around us and then offer that gift as a blessing to others.
Let’s make this the year when we add goals to our list that show off the gifts God has given us to His glory and goodness.
Happy New Year!
Looking for more encouragement and inspiration? Try these posts:
Inspirational Monday: Starting the Year with a New Spirit
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