Examining Scripture:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.“
Romans 12:1
Evaluating Soil:
As we jump like a bright, green, tree frog, into the shiny New Year, let’s stop and consider where we are and where we want to go. What situations do we find ourselves in and what is the condition of our soil?
Are our hearts and heads ready spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally to take on the work needed to accomplish our goals and responsibilities? Are we struggling to overcome losses, failures, emotional baggage, bad experiences, and troubled relationships? Is our soil hard and filled with weeds? Are we carrying last year’s burdens and projects into the next?
Experiencing Seasons:
It invigorates me to turn the calendar page and to jumpstart each year with a clean slate, new planner, and a fresh perspective on where I want and need to go. I like planning out personal and business goals, Bible studies to do, books to read, health and financial goals, events, and activities.
Sadly, in the past, I’ve taken my spiritual growth for granted during my planning stage, which has often left me, unfocused, unfulfilled, and unfruitful at the end of the year. That’s why, in the last few years, I’ve decided to make my faith and fruitfulness my first priority. I want to go beyond just reading God’s Words, to living the holy life He desires of me. I yearn to stand strong, contend for my faith and reap spiritual fruit in the harvest season.
Embracing Solace:
Isn’t it comforting to know we don’t have to figure life out alone? God is with us and offers love, care, and guidance. He doesn’t ask us to live above or beyond our abilities. He simply wants us to offer him our reasonable service and gives us the strength and courage to present our bodies as holy, living sacrifices to Him. His Holy Spirit leads us, comforts us and produces His fruit in us when we submit to Him. That will bring sweet solace to any heart and home.
Enjoying Simplicity:
New years are fresh fields of endless opportunities coupled with obligations and obstacles. We can jump confidently into them with well-intentioned plans, which can change in a moment. Only God knows what lies ahead. Realistic goals and balanced schedules can get overwhelmingly complicated without notice.
Unrealistic and ungodly dreams and desires can complicate our lives and eventually lead to disappointments, devastation, dysfunction, and drama. Living God’s way doesn’t mean life will be perfect but it does provide for a much calmer and fruitful simplicity.
Employing Solutions:
Holiness is the fertilization of our faith and fruitfulness. Without it, our aspirations, agendas, and activities will not produce the harvest we long for. We cannot hope to grow beautiful and bountiful lives by neglecting God’s instructions.
To be Holy, as found in Romans 12:1, means (in the Greek) to be “sacred:”
- physically pure
- morally blameless
- religious, ceremonially consecrated
Presenting our bodies as, “living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God” is our “reasonable service.”
Jumping aimlessly into the New Year doesn’t build our faith or help us face tomorrow. Cultivating holiness in our gardens is the Creator’s solution for having a fruitful year full of solace and simplicity.
Bring It Home
Are you ready to start the New Year with a fresh commitment to cultivating Holiness in your heart?
Post “I’m in” in the comments.
Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC
Leave a Reply