Our time within any given day is limited, and our time on Earth is finite. Redeeming our time well means making the most of where we are in the here and now.
At the start of the year, every year, for who knows how long, we’ve been hearing the same conversation take place. Someone pledges to make a new habit for themselves, claiming that starting January 1st, they are going to become a new version of themselves. An upgraded version. They will begin a new habit of doing x because not only are they motivated, but they have a plan in place for any financial commitment and accountability. Then, by the end of January or a short while later, that commitment evaporates. That same person who emphatically pledged gives up. Sometimes, we don’t just hear someone making this claim, but we are ourselves that person. The highest of motivations turn into unsurprising disappointments.
I’m not into New Year’s resolutions for that very reason. Not sure if I ever have been. If you or I want to grow, to be more mature, more fit, wiser, which we should, then why wait until January? Our time within any given day is limited, and our time on Earth is finite. Redeeming our time well means making the most of where we are in the here and now.
So many people could lose weight, manage their time better, rest more, do more, and spend more time with loved ones if they would simply make the necessary adjustments today. But not everyone understands that we should be growing every day.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.” (2 Peter 3:18)
In this chapter, Peter is writing to fellow believers, encouraging them to stand strong and grow in their faith because the day of the Lord is coming. He acknowledges that this fact may appear inconsequential because, through their eyes, God may seem slow, but he says, “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, CSB). God is patient, giving them time to repent and forfeit their sins. He is the same way with us.
The severity that Peter conveys is not what we experience every new year, but the mindset of growing should be one we emulate. Always. Sin keeps us from growing and ensures that we remain the same, day by day, year after year.
The more we grow in our relationship with Christ, the more that will change. We will improve our relationships with people, our commitments, our possessions, and even with ourselves. Here are some benefits to becoming the new you today and not next year.
Deeper Faith
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Much like the believers Peter admonished, when we pursue Christ daily, naturally, we develop a deeper relationship with Him. That means more trust, more peace, more understanding that God is for us, with us, and that He loves us. With deeper faith, we better appreciate those mountaintop seasons of life, and when the valley comes, enduring is not as difficult.
Scripture takes on a new light. We realize we aren’t just reading about historical events disconnected from us. Our lives are the continuation of those earlier stories. When we pray, we do so in a way that makes us wonder why we ever doubted God in the past and why we ever waited to go deeper with Him.
Better Habits
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Losing weight, time management, reading more, there are so many ways we want to improve our habits. With those improvements comes a changed life. When we aren’t happy about our behaviors, we lack confidence, motivation, and self-control. Working to change how we operate reverses that trend. Not only will we get more done, but we’ll be happier as we do things. Ultimately, that means serving more and serving better, which is exactly what God has called us to do.
Stronger Relationships
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
The better you can be as an individual, the better you will be in any kind of relationship. As the adage goes, you can’t love someone when you don’t love yourself. To love is to will the good of another. Condoning bad habits is not willing your own good. You can’t help someone else grow, like your children, friends, or parents, if you don’t want to put in the work. Moreover, when you do put in that work, you’ll find that relationships prosper also because people want to participate in your improvement journey. Friends often team up for weight loss challenges, and accountability is known to bring people closer.
A Better You
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)
Managing yourself is difficult, but mastering self-control is beyond beneficial. Your whole life changes in ways that you would have never predicted. Laziness becomes a thing of the past, and feelings of success become all the more frequent. That equates to greater confidence, physical health, and faith. When you look in the mirror, you will see a reason to feel good. Whatever thoughts once bothered you about your worth, your weight, or your social status, you won’t give those concerns as much airtime. And you certainly won’t be saying the better you starts at some arbitrary future date. You’ll be a better you in the present and want to continue the growing process.
Conclusion
Entry into Heaven, thankfully, doesn’t require us to be perfect people. However, making the most of the time we have on this Earth requires us to strive for perfection. If you’re the same person you were last year, or the year before, or five years before, something needs to change. Dig deep. Pray. Find accountability. Determine with all your might that you want to be better and look to Scripture for reasons why.
If you want these benefits but don’t believe you can find or hold on to the motivation to get them, then memorize the aforementioned verses to help jumpstart your tomorrow! You shouldn’t wait for January, not when you’ve been blessed with today.
There’s nothing to lose and so much to gain.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Uwe Krejci
