A Life in Exile

It’s inevitable that with the change in the calendar year, we look forward and make plans. You may have yours locked down and written in stone, or you may be one of those who prefers surprises and takes things as they come. Whatever the case, as the days are already flying by in this new year, I want to reflect with you on the importance of goals, not just as people in ministry but as Christ-followers in general.

Spiritual goals toward Christ-likeness

As someone who served in cross-cultural ministry, I will be the first to tell you I did not always look or behave like a Christ-follower. I had times of spiritual dryness and sinfulness that brought questions and doubts to my call and relationship with the Lord. The new year is a time to reset my mind and heart, realigning myself to His Word and all that He calls me to be. If I blindly go into a new year without any reflection, then I may be denying there’s anything that needs confessing or changing in my life.

So, I challenge you to use these days to ask yourself what needs changing in your daily routine to realign your mindset, your use of time, and your actions to Christ. Am I doing ministry without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit? What needs to change to give him the control I’ve taken away over the past few months or years?

If our goal is to grow in Christ-likeness, then we should be constantly reassessing our habits, words, and actions to be more in keeping with the way that Christ would live. Has pride seeped in? What do I need to do to be clothed in the humility of Christ? Has envy hardened my heart toward a fellow worker? How does my prayer life need to change?

If your goal is to grow to be more like Christ, what will it take to move in that direction in this new year?

Setting new goals may affect past goals

If the Holy Spirit is guiding you to move into a new direction, you not only may need to set some new goals for achieving that plan, but also may need to bring closure to what you’ve already been doing. In our finiteness, we acknowledge that we can’t do it all, nor does God ask us to.

Moving into new areas of ministry is often a way God uses to stretch us and grow us into the image of Christ. These changes can also be used to impact new individuals with the gospel or disciple those who are losing their way without a shepherd and faithful friend.

Is current work hindering you from moving into new areas for the cause of Christ? As you seek the Lord’s guidance in prayer, ask him what you are holding on to that He might be asking you to let go. As you look into the new year, ask the Spirit to help you see with His eyes and discern with His mind.

Don’t forget the basics

Finally, as you move forward into this new year of life and ministry, take an assessment of your current daily time in prayer and the Word. Are you keeping the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, fasting, giving, and worship? All of these are the foundational stones of our faith that grow us daily into the likeness and mindset of Christ. Don’t let this month go by without reaffirming your devotion to the Lord in prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with the Body of Christ.

Whether your plan is written on paper or on your heart and mind, commit everything to the Lord as your ultimate Guide in this journey of life and ministry, that it may go well with you all your days.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these other posts on New Year reflections: When Looking Back Is Painful, Just Another Day or a New Opportunity?, A Helping Hand in Service, and A Different Kind of New Year.