For many of us, the New Year represents a fresh beginning – a time to make new commitments and set new goals.  It can also become a time when we resurrect old resolutions we’ve reluctantly and sometimes apathetically dropped during the past year.

How about you this New Year?  Have you established any goals or resolutions?  Have you thought about taking any concrete steps toward the fulfillment of a life-long dream this coming year?  Do you long for better health, stronger finances, or a new relationship?

Maybe you’ve taken a long look at your past resolutions, your success rate and track record of accomplishment, and determined that creating a new set of resolutions wouldn’t be worth the paper they’re written on.  Some of you may be excited about a new year and a fresh start – seeing it as an opportunity to take positive steps toward objectives you’ve established for your future.

Whichever scenario fits you this year, please take a moment to consider the Bible passage below:

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”  – Ephesians 3:20

If you’ve had reoccurring failure with resolutions in the past, did you ever ask God to get involved?  If you’re excited about new goals and objectives this coming year, have you asked God for His help in attaining them?

Looking back on my own life, I can see some goals and objectives I failed to achieve – all driven by prideful self-reliance and God’s absence in the goal-setting process.  When we try to accomplish resolutions in our own power, we often fail due to our limited humanity, self-control and discipline.

I love how the Bible verse above reminds us of God’s power that’s at work within us.  Notice how it doesn’t say that God is able to do whatever we ask. It says He is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE COULD ASK OR THINK!

This year as you approach your New Year’s resolutions and goals, think about the following:

Pray First

Ask God for guidance and direction about your goals.  Ask Him to speak to your heart about those goals that are outside of His will for you now.  Ask Him to reveal those goals and resolutions that are at the very center of His will for you.  Take the time to meditate and listen for His answers.  The Bible says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) In the book of Proverbs it states, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”  When our goals and objectives are outside of God’s will for us, those plans will surely fail – leaving us frustrated and discouraged.  Make the commitment this year to get God involved in your goal-setting – taking the time to listen and watch for His guidance.  The Bible promises us that God will give us the insight and knowledge we seek (Jeremiah 33:2, James 1:5-6, and Luke 11:9-10) as we establish our goals for the New Year!

Think BIG!

Too often, we can set the bar too low – thinking if the goal can easily be attained, it will motivate us to do more.  This might be a good idea if we choose to remain self-reliant, leaving God out of the picture.  But this year, let’s remember the God who is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think.”  God doesn’t want us to come to Him with tiny requests and small faith.  He wants us to share our deepest dreams and desires with Him – fully confident in His power to accomplish what may seem impossible.

Think about the God we serve.  Nothing is out of His reach or ability.  Curing a sickness or disease, expanding your financial resources, finding you a perfect mate, or getting you the job of your dreams – whatever it may be that seems out of reach for you this coming year is NEVER out of reach for God.  He is ABLE to do things beyond our wildest imagination – far beyond what we ask for!  This year, think BIG!  Do you have a big dream or desire that would change your life dramatically and change the lives of those close to you?  Come to Him in faith with that dream and watch what He can do!

Stay Confident and Faithful  

When you think about past resolutions that have failed, I bet limited progression and slow results added to their failure.  As humans, we tend to lose interest when we don’t see immediate progress.  This year, keep your focus on God and His power that works within you.  God has promised us that we can do all things through Him and the strength that He provides for us (Philippians 4:13).  If we lean on ourselves and our own abilities, our interest will dwindle, and our goals will go unattained.

When progress toward your goal seems elusive on the surface, stay faithfully focused on God – not your lack of immediate results.  Have faith that more is happening than what can be visibly seen (Hebrews 11:1).  Trust that God will reward your faith in Him (Hebrews 11:6) and bring to pass what seems impossible.

This year, it’s my prayer that you think about your resolutions differently.  Pray about them, dream BIG dreams, and faithfully keep God at the very center of all your goals and resolutions. 

I hope you take the time to write out the Ephesians verse and place it conspicuously all over your home…on your refrigerator, your bathroom mirror, or any place that will remind you of God’s enormous power and ability to do far beyond what we can even ask or think!  May 2025 be your best year ever!