A new year has finally arrived and with that many New Years resolutions have been made and some have even been broken already. To be sure, this is the time of the year where we are most cognizant of our need to change, at least the few troubling areas in our life.

The fact is, change is something that God wants to work out in us as well, and he uses many different ways to make this happen. Sometimes its tragedy that provides the motivation, while other times its people or circumstances. Whatever the case, change is something that God wants to do in our lives. He wants to change our wounded hearts into hearts of love and forgiveness. He wants to transform our gloomy outlook to one of joy. To do this requires a transformation of the heart. This is why Dallas Willard says, "The greatest need you and I have - the greatest need of collective humanity - is renovation of the heart.” What I would like to do in this blog is offer 5 suggestions to help see this happen in your life and mine.

First, recognize that you are running a marathon and not a 50 yard dash. Paul echoes this idea when he said, “"And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus comes back again." Sometimes we get discouraged when we don’t see the growth in our lives that you and I would like to see. However, it is important to remember, Rome was not built in a day. Sometimes in our instantaneous culture we forget that spiritual growth takes time; acquiring freedom takes time. Consequently, be faithful and God will do a work in you that you won’t believe.

Secondly, set your sights on wholeness. This requires that you and I understand that God intends, through the power of His Spirit coupled with His Word, to do a complete work in us. A work that sets us a part. God’s work focuses on the internal and not just external. He intends not just to help us simply loose weight or spend less. He intends to change our hearts. The other issues are important, but God intends to work on the whole person.

Third, rely on God when obstacles come your way. I believe that is important to understand that whenever we want to change something in our life, the preverbal road block is bound to come our way. However, to overcome any hang up requires the help of God. We are too weak in the flesh to do it on our own. This is what Paul had in mind when he said, “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:3-4).

Forth, learn to nourish yourself spiritually. Like a car in a race, it is imperative that you and I make it a habit to refuel our spiritual tanks so to speak in order for change to happen. For this to take place requires that we make it a daily habit to connect with God. I think this is what Isaiah had in mind when he said, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).

Take Time to Celebrate

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