While running out the door and leaving 2020 behind me, I chose to opt for a different approach to my usually (unaccomplished) goals for the year – a theme for the year. I spent a day considering what I really wanted to achieve for this year and realised that everything in my life would follow once I settled my focus where it should be.
Put the fear down
“For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.” (2 Timothy chapter 1, verse 7).
Fear of the unknown and the need for a sense of security is part of our human nature. It is easy to allow fear and a lack of control to lead us down an anxious and unfocused path. We lose focus and try to make fear and control our guiding light. The dark cannot be dispelled by darkness. It takes something far greater than fear to give us a hope for the future. I will be honest that I found that revelation in the middle of a somewhat apparent panic attack, as one does.
Take up the Son
The darkness can only be dispelled by the light. In the presence of light darkness cannot exist. Even the faintest flicker of light is enough to cause shadows to withdraw.
“Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your word makes my pathway clear.” (Psalm chapter 119, verse 105).
Picking up the truth of the Creator’s breathed word is a clarity of the hope we have for the future. No matter how uncertain we may be of the future, we have a hope that the Light of the Son guides us wherever we go. Darkness cannot follow where He goes for this Light is the very gravitational pull allowing us to keep moving forward with hope for our future.
Breathe Jesus
Rather than choosing to make a list of “goals for the year”, my phrase for the year is – Breathe Jesus! We trust the air around us to sustain us, we know that it will keep us oxygenated and alive. Likewise, my goal for the year is to inhale the things of Christ – the characteristics, His values and scripture. Is there any greater way to exude His love than this?
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew chapter 5, verses 14 – 16)
Here is my hope for 2021:
In leaving 2020 behind and stepping through the door into a new year, let this be the year that you inhale Jesus. Allow your life to be filled with the goodness of the Creator and let your life be a light in the darkness. A city on a hill cannot be hidden because it’s light cannot be covered up. My hope for my life, and yours, is that the Light of the Son would be seen through your life. Be a city on a hill. The first step is to set aside your fear and breathe Jesus.
Hailing from South Africa, Crystelda is an avid nerd and an unapologetic dreamer. With a BSc. Biological Sciences and BCom Hons in marketing, she has launched the Christian lifestyle blog - Selah Blogger and is the joint winner of the 2019 International Theology Award. The blog can be found at https://selahblogger.wordpress.com/ and her previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/crystelda-naidoo.html