There are only a few days left of this year and our thoughts are turning toward the new year. How should we approach it? What kind of resolutions should one make? How could we end this year well and start the new year even better? Valid questions and God will answer them when we take time to prayerfully consider them. My goal for next year (and the rest of my life) is to have a rich relationship with God. And that’s what I pray for you too. There is nothing else in this world that satisfies like Jesus.

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:21, NLT)

It is wise to make an end-year inventory of your life, to see if you’re on the right path, and whether you’re using your gifts for God’s glory or not. You see, it is way too easy to start hoarding stuff for yourself and forget God’s plans for your life. It is way too easy to start worrying about things and forget to pray and release those things to God. Yes, it is way too easy to stay within your comfort zone and to stop asking what is it God wants you to do.

A rich relationship with God

Stop filling your life with everything but God. Because earthly security does not bring security. Earthly wealth does not make you happy. Only a rich relationship with God does it. Only when we know God, we are happy and secure, and fulfilled. So if these are your goals, the action plan is simple: get to know God intimately. Because of Jesus, it is possible. There is nothing but you to hinder you from having a rich relationship with God. In the words of Jonathan Bailey “God is an eternal discovery. The deeper we go, the deeper He gets. The more we know, the more He reveals.”

So make a plan for next year to have a richer relationship with God. Arrange your life to have more time with Jesus. You can do it. Be consistent in your devotion life. The more time you spend with Jesus, the richer relationship you will have. And the benefits of such a rich relationship with God are out of this world: less fear and anxiety, more joy and peace within you. That’s grace in action. Receive it with gladness, rejoice in Jesus. God is so good to us!

Gracious God,
We love you and we are in awe of you.
Thank you for sending Jesus to redeem us and restore our relationship with you.
We want to have a rich relationship with you.
Show us how our relationship with you can become richer and stronger.
Guide us as we plan next year, may we use our time wisely for your glory.
Thank you for providing for us also this coming year.
In Jesus’ name, we pray,
Amen

P.S.

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you seek God’s guidance for the new year. Make your main goal for the new year (and the rest of your life) to have a rich relationship with God. You can be certain, God will answer your prayer for this because it is what He wants with all his children. And rest assured, there is nothing better, more fulfilling, and more exciting than this. So you could not have a better plan for the new year! Blessings as you surrender your plans for Jesus!