Each new year brings with it fresh hope for a better year and a brighter future.  As we lean into that hope, we set new goals and aspirations in the form of new year’s resolutions, as we seek to make those dreams a reality.  For 2021, I believe this hope for a better year is felt like none before (or at least for this generation). 

We are pretty good about setting goals to lose weight, to be physically fit, or to be better managers of our finances.  I know I have set a few goals for myself which may or may not include eating fewer cookies 😁.  Yet one goal that is often overlooked, is the very one that empowers, provides strength, and gives wisdom for all other goals, and has to do with our spiritual lives.

Most people tend to compartmentalize their life into categories - work life, home life, social life, emotional life, etc.  Our spiritual life may seem, on the surface, to be one of the many parts of our lives.  Yet our spiritual life is in reality our whole life, involving every part of our personhood.  As humans, we tend to categorize our lives as if one were not related to the other.  When in reality, there is no part of our daily life that God is not aware of, does not seek to redeem or bring fresh hope to, or does not freely and willingly provide strength and wisdom for. 

The desire for fresh hope and a better future is not a man-made ideal, but instead stands at the very heart of God.  Perhaps this year you would like wisdom to be a better father or mother, to know how to get out from under crushing debt, or to work in a job you look forward to going to each day.  Whatever the concern, know that our God desires the very best for us, more than we desire it for ourselves. 

If we truly long for a brighter future, then it begins by placing ourselves fully into the hands of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and merciful God.  If we want to experience true freedom, healing, peace, and lasting joy, then it begins by trusting that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and that God will lead us in the way we should go.  2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.” 

In other words, God desires to do amazing things in and through those whose hearts are ALL IN.  ALL IN meaning, whole-hearted devotion to the plans, the purposes, and the person of Jesus.  Hope for the new year is found by being ALL IN for the One who is and was ALL IN for us (see John 3:16). 

As we stand on the precipice of a new year, let’s begin by asking God into every part of our lives, trusting that He loves us, and will guide us in the way we should go.  We can do this in a variety of ways:

• Spend a few minutes each day in God’s Word.  This year, our Journey through the Bible reading will take us through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) as we discover who is Jesus, what Jesus did, and what Jesus said.  As we commit to time spent in the Word, God will meet us on the pages of Scripture. 
• A long-standing tradition among many Wesleyan denominations is to participate in what is known as the Wesleyan Covenant Service.  It is an opportunity for each person to commit anew to God’s plans and purposes for his or her life.  If you are new to the things of God, Wesley’s prayer (see below), may seem a bit daunting.  However, for those who have known and walked with God for some time, it is a chance to clear the slate from the previous year, and to make a fresh start with God. 

This year let’s choose to live ALL IN for Him, who lived ALL IN for us!

For further reflection, listen to the song “Whole Heart” by Hillsong or read for yourself Wesley’s prayer, then recommit to God and to yourself to live out that prayer and promise in the coming year.

Wesleyan Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine.  So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.  Amen.