What we really do with the previous year is more significant than what we plan to do in the upcoming year. Because of this, I advise that we focus on our previous year's resolutions rather than making new ones this year.
Sound perplexing? What I mean is this. We must resolve any outstanding issues from the previous year before making plans for our life in the coming year and for serving God. Before we start making new goals, we should address unconfessed sin.
So, as the old year draws to a close, try taking some time away from everyone else to connect with God.
Bring a Bible, a pen, and some blank paper with you. Start by reading and reflecting on Psalm 51, David's prayer of confession. Then list any sin you can recall from the previous year that you still need to confess to God. Next, make an atonement request to God, like David did. Then take that piece of paper, rip it into pieces, and toss it away as a gentle reminder that He will wipe away your sins (v.1).
You can now begin the new year with a clear conscience. Anything else you could resolve to do would be inferior to it.
Before we can put our sins behind us, we must address them. Lord, we thank You that we can start over when we fail.
If we humbly own our sin, we will turn and follow You.
