Happy New Year, friends!
Did you go to your primary care doctor last year for a check-up or physical? Do you plan to this year?
Most of us want to be healthy – and may even go the doctor and/or set goals to do so. I commend you if that’s on your radar for the new year. It is for my hubby and me. We’re trying to encourage one another and make some changes in the right direction where our physical health is concerned.
But what about spiritually? Have you set any resolutions or made any goals to deepen your walk with God? Is that high on your priority list or near the bottom?
I heard at the end of 2024, right before New Year’s Eve, that 82% of people that make resolutions break them in less than 3 weeks! My husband and I were stunned. I don’t want to be in that category. I want to be in the minority of the 18% that press on.
God’s Word reminds us that our bodies are “temples of the Lord” and to treat them as such. In I Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul tells us, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” Lately, I have been convicted about this issue. I’ve had some mild physical issues and as I pray about what to do, the Holy Spirit is speaking to me about exercising and taking better care of “His temple”. I’m not a total couch potato, but God is telling me to “step it up” with healthier eating, exercising and being more proactive with my health. Remembering that the high price Jesus paid to redeem me and “buy me back” to have a relationship with God was very high definitely puts things into perspective. His agony before and during the cross was excruciating. So I should treat my body as His temple – and not put physical fitness and healthy eating at the bottom of the list. Since the Holy Spirit resides within me, I am a reflection of Him in every way. I don’t want my physical appearance to reflect poorly on my Savior.
But the Word also goes on in I Timothy 4:8, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” This verse reminds us that while physical training is good and beneficial, it’s not as important as our spiritual growth and development. The latter pays dividends in this earthly life as well as the one beyond.
Currently, I’m striving to have goals for both.
Two words the Lord has given me for 2025 are intentional and disciplined.
I want to be intentional and disciplined with my physical body. I’m trying to cut out sugar (making exceptions for special occasions) and trying to cut down on so many carbs and add in more veggies. In addition, I’m trying not to eat after 7 pm. And I’m about to start a new exercise program. I won’t bore you with the details.
All of those things I listed will take a change of mindset from me – a renewed determination. I confess I’ve already fallen off the band wagon when it comes to sugar. Why? When I’m stressed, I turn to chocolate so I’m trying to be disciplined and get that area under control. It’s really a spiritual issue as I need to turn to the Lord vs. food/chocolate.
But as difficult as the changes are to make regarding my physical body, I need to work on the spiritual aspect of my being as well. God, through the Holy Spirit, has impressed me to get up at 6 AM during the week. Even though I’m retired, I need to do that to accomplish everything on my “to-do” list. More importantly, I need to get up at this hour to have a meaningful devotion time with him.
I’m still working on doing this consistently, even if I get in bed late the night before. I’ve failed already, but I’m determined to stick with it. On the days I’ve been successful, I feel proud of myself, but more than that, I have uninterrupted time with the Lord that doesn’t feel pushed or rushed. I have time to read my Bible, read a devotional, write in a prayer journal and pray (and be still and listen to the whisper of the Holy Spirit). It’s a notable difference in my life when I make these things and time with the Lord my first and most important priority. I want to please Him by spending time with Him and being obedient in this area.
Years ago I read the little book, My Heart Christ’s Home, and it impacted me greatly. Still to this day, if I neglect meeting with the Father early on, I don’t have guilt. I don’t feel condemned. But I picture Jesus in my living room, waiting on me, in my special chair. It’s a regular appointment. How can I neglect Him? The One who paid the ultimate price and died in my place…the One who shed His blood to wash away my sins…the One who freed me from the bondage of sin…and the One who made the sun, moon, stars and all of creation WANTS to spend time with me. He calls me by name; He wants an intimate relationship with ME, His child. I don’t want to disappoint or disrespect Him. I WANT to allow Him to fill me up to the brim, and that is impossible without me being a willing participant. As the verse in John 3:30 states, I want “Him to increase and me to decrease”.
I’m reminded me of the example Jesus set for us as he walked and lived on the earth. Even as one who was holy and perfect, Jesus made it a practice to get alone with God to pray. Throughout the gospels in Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46-47 and John 6:15, we see similar verses in which it’s conveyed by one of the disciples that Jesus’ consistent habit was to get alone to have time with His Father. In Luke 6:12, the doctor tells us, “He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued tin prayer to God. His disciples saw him leave to pray, and later return. He also prayed with others.” If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to do that, how much more do I need it? I can feel and tell the difference when I rush through that time with the Father – or I give Him the leftovers of my day.
I’m reminded of Martin Luther’s quote, “I have so much to do today that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” I’m certainly not to that point, but the older I get, the more I realize the importance of prayer and that time spent with the Father. My goal is to be more disciplined and intentional. Without this purposeful mindset, I know my tendency will be to operate on my own strength and logic.
I’d love to hear from YOU. What are some of your spiritual goals for 2025?
Thanks for following and reading. I apologize for being slack at the end of 2024…just another area where I need to improve and be consistent.
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