Nearing the end of January fills me with anticipation for the year ahead. Avoiding the rush of hasty resolutions or non-specific goals, seeking success in the new year now seems attainable.
A deliberate start to the new year included embracing the new year with hope, seeking my purpose through ten thoughtful questions, and journaling out intentions behind my goals.
The final step to seeking success in the new year anchors the preceeding steps in a “why” big enough to endure temptations, distractions, disappointments and adversity.
Welcome to Mindfulness Monday! Where we learn some easy ways to be more present “in the moment” at our jobs, in our homes, with our families and friends.
Learning to recognize God and what He has for us in each divine moment He offers. We acknowledge the belief that God is with us always.
We confess His presence is available to us, lifting our spirit and helping us with power and grace. Learning the art of “stillness” so we can hear His voice and view ourselves, others and our surroundings through His eyes.
success in the new year starts with “why”
While fortifying your heart with Hope, narrowing down a solid purpose, and positioning yourself for action with intentions is beneficial, having a “why” ensures success.
The reason most resolutions and goals fail before completion often rests in an unclear “why” or motivation. We all want to change, most of us have the ability for change, but few possess a clear reason for the change.
know your why
The mindfulness exercises and activities shared in the past few weeks require time, effort and focus. Far from a quick goal checklist or a few scribbled intentions, the work accomplished through these exercises and activities still requires implementation.
Nothing brings me more joy than checking off accomplishments on a checklist; but the work setup through my careful preparation unfolds over the coming months. During which time, encountering temptations, obstacles, and discouragement threatens a successful outcome.
Unless your motivation is bigger than yourself.
Creating a bigger resolve rooted in a “why” sourced in fulfilling God’s calling for your life guarantees success in the new year.
a worthy motivation for a new year
Fulfilling my desire for a purpose-filled, intentional year focused on Kingdom impact rests in showcasing the worth of God’s calling on my life. Not my personal call for ministry or writing; but the same calling covering every Christian.
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,
2 Thessalonians 1:11
Embracing God’s enduring Hope, a refined purpose and intentional impact reflect my call as a Christian. But living worthy of my calling involves evidence others see of God’s supernatural power in my life. Often reflected in habits, behavior and priorities marked by a heavenly mindset.
The Apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonians, the worthiness of their calling in Christ spoke not of any merit earned, but of God’s powerful work. Walking, however, in a manner worthy of their calling meant honoring the calling received by grace through Christ’s merits.
honoring god’s worth in the new year
The choice of demonstrating the worth of my calling in Christ not only propels me forward in my resolves, goals, purpose and intentions for the new year, it showcases God’s infinite worth.
Seeking success in the new year pivots on honoring God with my desires for change, growth, and impact for His Kingdom.
Possessing a “why” as big as honoring God’s calling in Christ ensures perseverance in the face of adversity.
Because as I walk in godliness, honoring the calling from God, He makes me worthy, and my worthiness exalts Christ, showing forth the magnificence of grace. Which ultimately points others to Christ.
so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:12
walking out the “why”
Strengthened with Hope, armed with a well-defined purpose, and fueled with solid intentions, what does walking out the “why” of honoring my calling in Christ look like?
- Seek growth both inwardly and outwardly. Honoring Christ through my calling means seeking growth spiritually and relationally. (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
- What area of my spiritual walk needs maturity?
- How can I increase my love for others by nurturing my relationships?
- How can I seek abundant growth which will honor God?
- Seek faithfulness in the valley. Affliction will come. Receiving it from God’s good hand with steadfastness allows me to see more of God’s strength and power in my life, igniting growth. Faithfulness in suffering also displays God’s greatness and beauty to others. (2Thessalonians 1:4)
- How would focusing on increased intimacy with God and spiritual growth affect my perspective on suffering or setbacks?
- How can I reframe interrupted goals, plans and disappointments to better receive suffering?
- How can I learn to view suffering and disruption as a gentle friend instead of the enemy to my agenda?
- Seek the source for success. Apart from God my goals, purpose and intentions remain misplaced. Only God makes me worthy of His calling in Christ and only God fulfills my goals, purpose and intentions by His good hand. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
- How can I stay focused on God’s agenda for success and not my own?
- How can I strengthen my faith, enabling me to move ahead in His power?
seeking success in the new year
True success in the new year involves goals, defined purpose, and focused intentions obtained through prayerfully seeking God’s direction. All resolves for personal, spiritual, relational, or Kingdom growth begin and end with God.
Continued and unceasing prayer sustains progress, focus, and growth as you pursue your God given assignments for the year ahead. Honoring your calling in Christ as well as committment to God’s ultimate will and purpose provide a “why” big enough to endure temptations, distractions, disappointments and adversity.
“Gracious Heavenly Father, I desire a deeper, more intimate, active faith in you. Allow my love for you to become sweeter, compelling my actions of service. Prune and clear away the weeds of stubborn sin, while nurturing the spiritual garden you planted in my soul. May impending sufferings, trials, disappointments and disruptions magnify your work of grace in me, so that others may see your infinite worth. Grant, I pray abundant growth in me by any means necessary. In Jesus’ name and for His glory, Amen.“
We do have to have the right why, or our motivation and desire to change stays only a desire or we peter out.
So true, Theresa, sadly I know from experience how to fail without good motivation!
This is a good point, Donna, “We all want to change, most of us have the ability for change, but few possess a clear reason for the change.” Your focus on Why reminds me of a book on my ‘To Read’ list, Start with Why by Simon Sinek.
This is a good question, “How would focusing on increased intimacy with God and spiritual growth affect my perspective on suffering or setbacks?” I’ve been listening to Matt Redman’s audiobooks. Blessed Be Your Name (read by Matt and his wife, Beth) brings this question to the forefront and encourages us to press into intimacy – no matter what the pain, suffering, or hardship encountered. It was a very encouraging book!
Thank you Lisa, for your thoughtful comments. The two books you mention sound fabulous and can truly speak into my one word journey with resilience this year! Thank you for sharing!
This year has already thrown us off balance and as we’re questioning our next steps and the direction to take, this was such a sweet and helpful reminder that we keep our “why” as a priority. Whatever we ultimately decide to do, it must fulfill our “why” of bringing honor to God.
Visiting from Let’s Have Coffee today
Kym, I am so thankful for your visit today and your kind comments. I agree, this year already has us a bit off guard and we aren’t through the first month yet! This is the first year I have grounded my goals and intentions in a why big enough to carry me through! I know I won’t do everything perfectly, but when we seek to honor God, he enables us to do so!
“During which time, encountering temptations, obstacles, and discouragement threatens a successful outcome.” I have lived that statement out! Very well put together post on the importance of keeping God in the centre of our lives so we do not stray from our why.
Lynn, I have lived out that statement too! I learned the hard way it’s easy to set goals, but much harder to achieve them. Even harder if you don’t have a solid “why” keeping you on track!
Wow, Donna! Color me impressed and inspired after my first visit to your website! What a powerful, purposeful, and positive blog post. I absolutely love it! Thank you for the tremendous words of encouragement and inspiration. I will definitely have to visit again! Have a blessed week, sister.🥰🙏🏽
Thank you so much Horace for taking the time to stop by my blog and read my post! I rejoice that you found my website a blessing! Building this website myself without any prior experience was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done!
You are a tremendous blessing to me, dear Brother! As a published author, I value your feedback on my articles and you are most kind! Praise God you found the post so encouraging and inspiring! I look forward to fellowshipping with you here often my Brother!