If we’re being honest here, there is almost nothing more thrilling to me than picking out a new agenda for the year. (It’s the little things, ok?!)
There’s just something so refreshing about the idea of blank pages, waiting to be filled with coffee dates, cross-country trips, and little tasks to accomplish. Within each month of my agenda, I set all of my important dates first and then create a few small goals for myself to achieve.
But most importantly, I feel like a new agenda is just one small way I can remember God’s goodness in my life. (More on this later.)
As I trek through the year, I often find myself crossing off more chores and less intentions. My journal time turns into catching up on work projects and my date nights turn into, “We should probably run to the store instead.”
I get so tied down in the mundane routines of life, I stop actively pursuing the good.
Does this ever happen to you?
In our fast-paced culture, it’s almost like busyness is part of our identity. Self-care has become a privilege, instead of something we should make a priority, and being intentional with others only happens when it’s convenient to our schedules.
The problem here is, I’m sure I’m telling you something you already know. As someone who falls into the trap of go, go, go, I often ask myself, “How can I stop this?”
Cue the new agenda.
To me, a new year is an opportunity to reflect on where you can grow, not in ways you should change. If you constantly berate yourself on how you should be a better spouse, a better friend, a better parent, etc., you miss out on all of the space that already exists in your life to flourish.
If there’s one thing I can recommend to you as you start fresh in the new year is this— listen.
Really take a moment to stop, reflect, and listen. What is your body telling you? If you need a break, be intentional about resting this year. What are your friends telling you? If you need to be more open to change, make a goal to try something new.
What is God telling you?
Toward the end of 2019, I started noticing a trend in my life. I had stopped listening to advice, the problems of others, new music suggestions, the list goes on and on. But worst of all, I realized I was in a one-way relationship with God. I was the only one talking.
I never slowed down enough to really process and listen to what the Lord was trying to tell me. In James chapter one, we are encouraged as Christ-followers to hear the good and follow through with it.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
God’s grace for our lives is new every morning, and we cannot miss out on just how important this is. He calls us to listen and act on His goodness, not our timing, or schedule, or busyness, or whatever that may be.
So, as you pursue new goals in the new year, I encourage you to listen and ask God in what ways you can grow— not completely change to fit the spaces you think you should be. Accept His word for truth and continue to chase the good.