We have all read the articles about the rallying call to New Year’s resolutions and the cautionary tales of the pitfalls. There are the typical resolutions for losing weight, exercising more, quitting smoking, being on time, and the like. However, studies show that by the third week in January, passion for change peters out, and life goes back to the “same old, same old,” and the aftereffects are disappointment, frustration, and guilt.

Dare we think about a resolution for our spiritual health? Does that sound too manipulative? Our relationship with the Almighty is nothing to be “managed,” and science-based advice doesn’t fit into our personal spiritual journey, but there is certainly something we can do to live a more attentive, intentional life. So, instead of a New Year’s resolution, consider a fresh purpose for 2022.

Motivation Isn’t Enough

We are destined for failure if we attempt any change solely on sheer motivation, and this is especially true in our spiritual lives, for it involves relationship. One definition for a life of holiness is “perfectly incomplete” to define our sacred journey. We have not been created to do this on our own. But in concert with the work of the Holy Spirit. When we partner with him for a fresh, spiritual purpose, he makes us “perfectly whole” in his eyes. Our holiness is not determined by performance or any other human means of measurement.

The Lord has made everything available to us to live a thriving holy life from the moment we accept Christ as our personal Savior. The Holy Spirit is already at work in us hovering, prompting, and encouraging us to move in the direction of greater Christlikeness, but we have a part to play in our soul health so that we hear, welcome, and yield to his promptings.

Creating healthy habits mixed with reading his Word to give biblical credibility is the key. Consider the following suggestions and ask for the Lord’s direction as you walk together in fresh purpose in this new year.

First Step, Small Steps

The place to start is with your thought process. Positive thinking doesn’t come naturally to most of us, so intentionality is vital. Ask God to make us aware of the innate negative thoughts and be prepared to counter with positive thoughts. “We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.” 2 Corinthians 10:5. Being proactive is imperative. Start your day by asking God to direct you to one better thought, one better reaction, one better way to process, one better choice, and a way to gravitate to forgiveness instead of resentment.

The next step is to find an attainable goal. Losing 10 pounds in a week or kicking your caffeine addiction cold turkey sets you up for failure. The same is true in our spiritual lives. We may not articulate it, but there is sometimes a self-perceived expectation to be Mother Theresa or Samuel Logan Brengle by the end of the week. Big pictures are made up of many small steps. Start right where you are and give yourself grace because that is what God does. Vague or broad goals cause us to lose our way and cause us to become overwhelmed. Begin by considering small steps to develop a habitual sense of God’s presence.

• For many of us, our devices can hypnotize us and rob us of precious time with the Lord. Consider setting boundaries on your cellphone and program “sleep mode” to help you wind down in Christ’s presence at the end of the day without distraction.
• Removing social media from your cellphone may reduce your social media viewing and give you more time to incorporate a new spiritual discipline.
• Write a simple mission statement – as simple as possible. Think about incorporating one word that will be your theme for the year (i.e., seek, simplify, presence, kindness). Place a sticky note anywhere and everywhere at home and work to bring you back to this fresh emphasis. This is not to be a condemnation when you fall short but a conviction from the Holy Spirit to be an incentive to stay focused on him.

When you decide to try something new in your spiritual formation plan, take all that is on your plate. Adding a discipline may mean removing something that really hasn’t enhanced your spiritual growth. For instance, though journaling is a valuable discipline to some, writing may not resonate with you. There is no need to feel guilt or shame over that realization. You are simply zeroing in on what best meets your need to connect with God.*

Create an Environment for Growth

Another way to encourage your spiritual growth is to tweak your surroundings to facilitate good choices. Preparation is the key to maximizing your time with God. Having a proper place for your daily quiet time with him and readily available proper tools help encourage spiritual growth. After finding a spot that works for you, consider the following item to be collected in a receptacle (basket, storage box, etc.) for easy access during your devotions.

• Bible – favorite translations/paraphrase). Consider NOT taking your phone with a Bible app into your quiet time as that opens the temptation to subsequent scrolling social media.
• Devotional book
• Related resource reading
• Journal
• Pens, pencils, highlighter
• Notebook
• Notecards (for intercessory prayer support of others)
• Bookmark

When there is forethought to keeping these materials in one place, it gives you more time to spend in God’s presence.

Creating an Anchor

A new spiritual rhythm may have more success in “sticking” if you anchor it to something you already have incorporated into your existing routine. For instance, praying while you take a shower, memorizing a scripture verse while waiting for your coffee to brew, or as you commute to work, engage in the Prayer of Examen, Centering Prayer, or Breath Prayer.** Take a cue from Brother Lawrence, lay Carmelite brother (1614-1691) in his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, that every aspect of everyday life is a trigger to speak the name of the Lord.

Substitution

Look at the typical rhythms of your day – what are those ongoing behaviors that steal time. These do not have to be negative habits but go-to activities that are easy avoidances for dealing with what you may need to address in your spiritual life.

If you were to bundle up some of the social media scrolling, TV binging, and simple mind-numbing periods of time that take place every day, you may be surprised to find a concerted amount of time to sit in silence and solitude long enough for your soul to make an appearance and connect with the Holy Spirit.**

“We enter into solitude and silence on the basis of our desire for God, and it becomes a place for being with our desire in God’s presence. Even if we also experience some resistance (which is quite normal, especially in the beginning), when the desire is deep enough to overcome our resistance, we are on our way.” (Ruth Haley Barton)

Accountability is Essential

The pace of our world and the advancement of technology is causing us to have less and less contact with others. This may be efficient for banking or shopping, but no shortcuts can be taken in developing trusting relationships.

Having someone you can “check in” with or be a sounding board will encourage you in your spiritual formation. That might mean something as official as a spiritual director for some people. For others, it may mean you get together with another Christian who is willing to companion with you on your spiritual journey.**

Whatever this may look like for you, it is necessary for you to find a person or people you can trust and be accountable to remind you of your commitment, encourage you when discouragement sets in, and celebrate with you where you see progress.

Balance is the Key

What must constantly be evaluated is your role and God’s role in establishing a new rhythm for your spiritual formation. Certainly, God inspires, directs, and fills us with the Holy Spirit to flourish in our relationship with him, but we have an essential part to play as well.

As the Apostle, Paul writes, “…continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 (AMP)

God has planted a seed within you to go further in your relationship with him this year. Possibly some of the suggestions in this article will spur you on in your relationship with the Lord. So, what does fresh purpose in 2022 look like for you?

*To help you find how you best connect with God, check out:

Click here for the Sacred Pathways Assessment

**Resources on this spiritual discipline and many others can be found by CLICKING HERE