Seeking Success in the New Year - Serenity in Suffering

Nearing the end of January fills me with anticipation for the year ahead. Avoiding the rush of hasty resolutions or non-specific goals, seeking success in the new year now seems attainable.

A deliberate start to the new year included embracing the new year with hope, seeking my purpose through ten thoughtful questions, and journaling out intentions behind my goals.

The final step to seeking success in the new year anchors the preceeding steps in a “why” big enough to endure temptations, distractions, disappointments and adversity.

Welcome to Mindfulness Monday! Where we learn some easy ways to be more present “in the moment” at our jobs, in our homes, with our families and friends. Learning to recognize God and what He has for us in each divine moment He offers. We acknowledge the belief that God is with us always. We confess His presence is available to us, lifting our spirit and helping us with power and grace. Learning to “be still”, so we can hear His voice and view ourselves, others and our surroundings through His eyes.

success in the new year starts with “why”

While fortifying your heart with Hope, narrowing down a solid purpose, and positioning yourself for action with intentions is beneficial, having a “why” ensures success.

The reason most resolutions and goals fail before completion often rests in an unclear “why” or motivation. We all want to change, most of us have the ability for change, but few possess a clear reason for the change.

know your why

The mindfulness exercises and activities shared in the past few weeks require time, effort and focus. Far from a quick goal checklist or a few scribbled intentions, the work accomplished through these exercises and activities still requires implementation.

Nothing brings me more joy than checking off accomplishments on a checklist; but the work setup through my careful preparation unfolds over the coming months. During which time, encountering temptations, obstacles, and discouragement threatens a successful outcome.

Unless your motivation is bigger than yourself.

Creating a bigger resolve rooted in a “why” sourced in fulfilling God’s calling for your life guarantees success in the new year.

a worthy motivation for a new year

Fulfilling my desire for a purpose-filled, intentional year focused on Kingdom impact rests in showcasing the worth of God’s calling on my life. Not my personal call for ministry or writing; but the same calling covering every Christian.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

2 Thessalonians 1:11

Embracing God’s enduring Hope, a refined purpose and intentional impact reflect my call as a Christian. But living worthy of my calling involves evidence others see of God’s supernatural power in my life. Often reflected in habits, behavior and priorities marked by a heavenly mindset.

The Apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonians, the worthiness of their calling in Christ spoke not of any merit earned, but of God’s powerful work. Walking, however, in a manner worthy of their calling meant honoring the calling received by grace through Christ’s merits.

honoring god’s worth in the new year

The choice of demonstrating the worth of my calling in Christ not only propels me forward in my resolves, goals, purpose and intentions for the new year, it showcases God’s infinite worth.

Seeking success in the new year pivots on honoring God with my desires for change, growth, and impact for His Kingdom.

Possessing a “why” as big as honoring God’s calling in Christ ensures perseverance in the face of adversity.

Because as I walk in godliness, honoring the calling from God, He makes me worthy, and my worthiness exalts Christ, showing forth the magnificence of grace. Which ultimately points others to Christ.

so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:12

walking out the “why”

Strengthened with Hope, armed with a well-defined purpose, and fueled with solid intentions, what does walking out the “why” of honoring my calling in Christ look like?

• Seek growth both inwardly and outwardly. Honoring Christ through my calling means seeking growth spiritually and relationally. (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
  • What area of my spiritual walk needs maturity?
  • How can I increase my love for others by nurturing my relationships?
  • How can I seek abundant growth which will honor God?
• Seek faithfulness in the valley. Affliction will come. Receiving it from God’s good hand with steadfastness allows me to see more of God’s strength and power in my life, igniting growth. Faithfulness in suffering also displays God’s greatness and beauty to others. (2Thessalonians 1:4)
  • How would focusing on increased intimacy with God and spiritual growth affect my perspective on suffering or setbacks?
  • How can I reframe interrupted goals, plans and disappointments to better receive suffering?
  • How can I learn to view suffering and disruption as a gentle friend instead of the enemy to my agenda?
• Seek the source for success. Apart from God my goals, purpose and intentions remain misplaced. Only God makes me worthy of His calling in Christ and only God fulfills my goals, purpose and intentions by His good hand. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
  • How can I stay focused on God’s agenda for success and not my own?
  • How can I strengthen my faith, enabling me to move ahead in His power?

seeking success in the new year

True success in the new year involves goals, defined purpose, and focused intentions obtained through prayerfully seeking God’s direction. All resolves for personal, spiritual, relational, or Kingdom growth begin and end with God.

Continued and unceasing prayer sustains progress, focus, and growth as you pursue your God given assignments for the year ahead. Honoring your calling in Christ as well as committment to God’s ultimate will and purpose provide a “why” big enough to endure temptations, distractions, disappointments and adversity.

“Gracious Heavenly Father, I desire a deeper, more intimate, active faith in you. Allow my love for you to become sweeter, compelling my actions of service. Prune and clear away the weeds of stubborn sin, while nurturing the spiritual garden you planted in my soul. May impending sufferings, trials, disappointments and disruptions magnify your work of grace in me, so that others may see your infinite worth. Grant, I pray abundant growth in me by any means necessary. In Jesus’ name and for His glory, Amen.“

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