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It’s that time of year when people make “New Year’s Resolutions”. You know the kind…

I’m going to:

  • eat better
  • exercise more
  • be kinder
  • stop habit “X”
  • read more books
  • pray more

Some people might add more major items, like:

  • go on a missions trip
  • change job
  • go back to university
  • get married

It’s good to make plans to grow. I have a saying, “Weeds grow - vegetables are grown,” meaning doing something productive requires intention. If you just “go with the flow” in life, you’ll tend to go backwards.

So, what advice can I share as you set some goals for 2024?

1. Get God’s help when setting goals.

Set steps which are in line with you being “in Christ” and lean into the Holy Spirit for His enablement.

2. Don’t set vague goals: be specific.

Rather than set a goal like “To get closer to God in 2024”, aim for something specific which results in you growing closer to God. Things like “I will add journalling to my devotional time” or “I will listen to one podcast each week that specifically deals with an area of growing closer to God”.

3. Once you set a goal, focus on the small steps that will take you there.

Reading through the entire Bible will take care of itself if you focus on reading a certain number of chapters each day.

4. Create a “space” for you to take your steps.

If your goal is to listen to a message while getting ready for work each morning, plan so this will be as easy as possible. Choose the message the night before and have it ready to play as soon as you wake up. If you’re going to listen on a speaker, make sure it’s ready and charged.

5. If you miss a step, don’t miss two.

Feeling guilty about skipping a step could lead you to quit and give up. Don’t let guilt win.

6. Remember, growing as a disciple is a team sport.

Connect with others and encourage them in their goals.

Over the Christmas and New Year period, why not find out someone else’s goals for 2024 and see what you can do to help them in their steps?