HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)

"New year, New Me"--> what an overwhelming concept. I want to simply express a fresh perspective on this mindset. The desire of becoming a "new you" means what, exactly? Some questions to start off with...Does it come from a bitter place of hurt and pain? Does it come from selfishness? Is this just an act on feelings?   Do you really want to become a new you, in order to become a better you? or a more bitter you? Will these changes come with true purpose and wise guidance? Leaving me at one last question: Do these goals come from God or your own desires?

See, I think it is so easy for us to make those new years resolutions & public announcements, and soon after give up for a pretty valid reason. On the other hand, this "valid" reason, is full of excuses. Excuses as to why you did not achieve your goal or set out to do what you said you would in your resolution. I've wondered...Where does the underlying issue lie? Why do we so easily forget all about what we 'thought' we set our minds out to do in the beginning of the year?

Here is what has been placed on my heart & brought clarity for me: In order to make an effort to achieve these goals it takes daily choices. We have to be more specific as to what needs to change, seek God for guidance (healing, leadership, and peace), and follow through after. For instance, if your goal is to become a 'new' you by breaking ties with a certain person, you must make the consistent effort to break those ties. Delete the number, block him/her off of your Instagram/FB, let him/her know that it is over if it needs to be said, change your number, and surround yourself with the people you are sure that God did call into your life in this season. Another example--if your way of becoming a 'new' you is by being more healthy--you have to be consistent by dying to that laziness DAILY! Choosing healthier foods DAILY! Sticking with your workout routine DAILY! Get it? I think I do more now than ever before, since God has shown me the importance in these 'small' DAILY CHOICES. 

I speak to myself in saying-we overwhelm ourselves by trying to piece everything together in an instant & jump from where you are now immediately to the end result. It takes motivation. It takes determination. It takes intentional daily choices in order to progress towards that goal. But most of all it takes seeking Christ for the peace you need, in order to conquer those daily tasks and goals. HE has the big picture in mind, which is a view that we are often lacking. It is not up to us to create a Whole & brand new us in a day! He completes the BIGGEST work--in molding and shaping us into the best version of us there is. 

The scripture that came to mind as I was finishing up this post comes from Philippians 3. Although in here Paul was talking about his walk with Christ and focusing on the "Heavenly Prize," this directly relates to what I have discussed throughout this post, as well. In our walks with Christ we have to keep in mind the end result--getting into Heaven when it is our time to leave this earth. As we make these goals, we should, in fact, keep those end results in mind as well--never losing sight of it & if so, refocusing. In the same instance, we are not expected to be perfect and reach such pure perfection. Our goal in our walk with Christ as well as any other area our lives, we should take day-by-day and moment-by-moment.

So, in regards to those new years resolutions...Let's begin to make real and attainable goals. Start off with a reflection on why you want to become a new you in the first place. What stopped or hindered you in 2013 from doing those specific things that help you to become a better you? How could you have handled/ reacted to circumstances differently? How could you have loved more? Forgiven more? Been more like Christ {which should be our main goal!}? Use this reflection as a reference point. Allow God to refresh your perspective on the changes that need to be made in present and future terms. Might I say, #HEARTCHECKED !!!!

Happy New Year!

Love,

Cas <3