A brand new year! Time to come up with some New Year’s resolutions. Time to make a list of things we want to accomplish in the coming year. It’s the perfect time to try new things. Make some goals to be reached. Right?
While there’s nothing wrong with any of these, there’s still something that nags at my soul when my calendar starts to fill up. We can mindlessly come up with some resolutions that sound really good. We can fill our time with a lot of good things.
Good things for ourselves.
Good things for our kids.
Good things for our family.
But I’ve often found myself doing so many good things that I don’t do anything well. I come up short. I spread myself so thin that I’m no good to anyone.
Maybe I’m qualified to do five things really well, yet when I try to cram them all into a short window of time, those five things crumble, making me feel as if I’m barely treading water.
But shouldn’t we say yes to every good thing that comes our way?
Meeting friends for lunch? That’s good!
Exercising to stay in shape? That’s good!
Volunteering at your child’s school? That’s good!
Leading a Bible study? That’s good!
Working part-time to earn a little extra money? That’s good!
Signing your child up for their favorite sport? That’s good!
Yes. Each and every one of these are good things. Nobody would argue that they aren’t.
But if you say yes to every single good thing that comes your way, at some point it will leave you feeling frustrated. Overwhelmed. Frazzled. Stressed to the max.
And before you know it, your resolutions and good intentions turn into disappointments and failures.
When we run from one good thing to the next at a break-neck speed, we often miss out on the rest God longs for us to embrace.
Resting in his presence. Resting in his peace. Resting in his purpose.
Instead of saying yes to everything, we could stop and pray before we answer. Asking God for wisdom and discernment.
Maybe this good thing would be better if I embraced it later, instead of now.
Maybe I should say no to this good thing so that someone else will have the opportunity to say yes.
Maybe this good thing is really my plan instead of God’s.
Sometimes I’m so busy saying yes to the good things that I don’t make time to pray and ask God what is best.
As this new year begins, here’s a challenge:
Instead of asking God to bless a long list of our hopeful accomplishments, let’s stop and humbly approach Him.
Instead of resolutions, let’s humbly ask Him what is His best for us.
God, what is your plan for me this year? Are there things I need to let go of? What new steps do you want me to take? Help me rest in your presence, so I can know what’s best. Your best.
I pray you will embrace this new year with a sense of peace and purpose.
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Blessings to you, dear friends!
Lisa Preuett
Check out my devotional book, Embracing The Race.
Excellent!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Eddie Lee! Enjoy your sweet words here on my blog!
LikeLike
Such good truth, Lisa! What a God-incidence because my recent blog post is a book giveaway and review. One of my favorite quotes from this book is, “God sometimes calls us to edit out something good in our lives to make room for something great.” Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Stacey for your constant encouraging words. I am hoping to get a copy of the book you reviewed in your recent post. I totally agree with everything you mentioned!! Sometimes God allows our schedules to get so full so we will realize how much we need him when we can no longer carry the heavy burden. Blessings to you!
LikeLike
I spread myself thin and don’t excell in any one thing! Sooo much to accomplish! I think it’s time to do some targeting around here. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Lillian! Blessings to you as you start off this brand new year in God’s peace.
LikeLike
Wonderful insight. It is very true that it is necessary to slow down and follow where God wants to to be. Instead of trying to do everything. Thanks for your encouragement, love what you are sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a blessing to connect with you and other women desiring to equip people with hope.
LikeLike
Yes, it is very true that we should be following and going where God wants us to be. Rather than trying to do everything. Resting in the Lord is so important! Love this and thank you for your encouragement!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your encouraging words!
LikeLiked by 1 person