As one year ends and another begins, you can almost feel the freshstart spirit in the air. New calendars. New planners. New goals. And with it comes that familiar word: resolutions. I’m not against New Year’s resolutions. There’s something honest about admitting, “I want to do better.” The trouble is that many resolutions are built on emotion instead of conviction and on willpower instead of wisdom, so they fade as quickly as they’re formed. James put it plainly: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14). If life is a vapor, our days are too valuable to be spent making promises we never plan to keep.
If we want more than a short-lived burst of motivation, change has to begin in the right place. Real, lasting change starts with surrender, not self-confidence. Most resolutions sound like this: “I’m going to…” and while effort matters, the deepest change doesn’t come from trusting ourselves— it comes from yielding to the Lord. That’s why the Bible says, “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
(Proverbs 16:3). Before you write goals on paper, place them in God’s hands in prayer. Ask Him to search you, correct you, and strengthen you. The strongest start isn’t bold talk; it’s a humble heart.
And once you surrender, remember that growth is about direction, not perfection. Many people quit because they slipped once, missed a day or failed to follow through for a week. They assume the whole effort is ruined. But spiritual progress isn’t measured by flawless performance; it’s measured by a heart that keeps moving toward God. The question isn’t, “Did I do everything perfectly?” but “Am I walking with the Lord more faithfully than I did before?” God isn’t looking for people who never stumble—He’s looking for people who will get back up and keep following Him.
Direction becomes real when it turns into practical steps, because vague hopes rarely produce lasting habits. “I want to be closer to God” is a good desire, but it isn’t a plan. That’s why wise believers turn godly intentions into consistent practices: time in the Word of God, a steady prayer life, faithfulness to the house of God, and accountability with trusted friends who will encourage you when motivation runs low. Discipline may not feel exciting, but it builds stability—and stability produces growth. In other words, if we want change that lasts longer than January, we must do more than wish for it; we must walk in it.
Finally, it helps to remember what we’re actually aiming for. The goal is not simply a checklist of accomplishments, or even a “better” version of ourselves. The goal is Christlikeness. You can hit every target you set and still be empty if your heart never draws nearer to the Lord. God’s purpose is not merely to improve your schedule— it’s to transform your life.
A new year is a gift, but it won’t change us by itself. As we step into it, let’s make goals, yes—but let’s seek something deeper than resolutions. Let’s surrender to the Lord, keep moving in the right direction when we stumble, take practical steps that strengthen our walk and aim for a life that looks more like Jesus—one faithful day at a time.
Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
