As far back as high school, I remember spending New Year’s Eve creating a list of resolutions. I remember making the same resolutions year after year. The problem with those resolutions, at least for me, is that they were lofty goals without a strategy. In the latter years of my work career, a group of us replaced resolutions with One Word 365, a plan to choose one word that would lead my actions for the year. This was more intentional than generic resolutions because I chose a word or phrase that inspired action, not just wishful thinking.
Just like those resolutions, I realized that my commitment to God began strongly in 2023, but in these last months, my ardor has waned. Knowing…believing…accepting that God is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow, I must admit to myself that it is I who changed. It is I who drifted from God—not He from me. So, on the cusp of 2024, I know I must take action to rekindle the ardor. To revitalize my relationship. To recommit to God.
How do I recommit myself to God? The prefix “re” means either “again” or “back.” To recommit myself to God, that is, to give myself back to God again and again, I must affirm with intention the covenant agreement I have with God. It is I who must make the effort to remain in the covenant. For 2024, here are my top seven intentional actions to stay committed to God.
7. Remember that God is Immanuel. He is with me even when I forget or am unsure. It is those times that I must make the extra effort to seek Him.
6 Rejoice over what God has done in my life. Counting my blessings will draw me closer to God.
5. Release negativity. Negativity is a toxic barrier between God and me. I need to release so that God can enter.
4. Review God’s plan with God. If I am to know what God wants for me, I must communicate with Him—stay “prayed up.”
3. Reclaim the joy of Jesus, finding the peace that comes from accepting His dominion.
2. Revere the great I am. As Sovereign, I give God the honor, praise, and worship He deserves.
1. Revisit daily my commitment to be God’s servant.
Let’s start the new year with a renewed commitment. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified Bible-AMP) states, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”
Reflection: How will your 2024 reflect your commitment to God?
Thank you so much for the reminder!
It is always inspiring to read your column – it motivates me to re-examine my own thoughts and feelings which I tend to take for granted. Life is always changing so we must think about how or if these changes will or do affect us and our consequent actions.
Please continue to publish your column – it is much needed.
U know how to break a brotha down and make him really do some internal reflection. You are not alone with the recommitment challenges. Let’s continue to keep each other in prayer to meet the challenges that are ever looming in front of us. Thanks for what you do. I do read them all even if I don’t comment.