By David Phillips
Sometimes the term, “fresh start” implies that a total mess has been made and a project or task must be started all over again, from the beginning. But we sometimes use the phrase to indicate a wholesome point of beginning for improvements, without necessarily indicating that a complete disaster has occurred.
It is totally proper to use this expression in the context of looking at a new year with the intention of putting better efforts into the right things, in order to produce better and more complete results that we have in the past. Most of us would have to admit that some of our greatest shortcomings involve simply not following through with the right things.
So let’s acknowledge that, while our past hasn’t necessarily been a catastrophic failure, we have also not yet reached perfection. And while the idea of a starting point is valid only in terms of looking at the calendar, let’s start now setting some realistic goals as we look ahead with Christian optimism, and plan for better spiritual growth in 2023. Here are seven ideas that should spur our thoughts along the lines of a fresh start for this new year:
- Grow stronger in faith and love.
- Study the Scriptures to learn and apply.
- Make worship attendance a priority.
- Use prayer as a constant tool.
- Be more aware of your example, and improve.
- Let godly living be a FAMILY PRIORITY.
- Keep anger under control.
These 7 things are not more important than any others suggested by God’s word, but they can point our attention to a long list of useful goals that are profitable for greater service to God.