ADVICE FOR A NEW YEAR

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” - Hebrews 12:1

The writer of the book of Hebrews aptly refers to the Christian life as being a race. We are in a marathon. We are pressing forward, traveling daily toward our home in heaven.

When we come to the end of a year and plan for a new year, we tend to make superficial resolutions. While some of these resolutions have a valid purpose, we tend to lose motivation after the first week or two and eventually return to the rut of living like we had before.

As we enter a new year, I want to challenge myself --- and you. Here is the advice I'm giving to myself. See if these three things don't appeal to you also.

1. SPEND TIME WITH GOD DAILY

My first piece of advice is to walk with God every day. For many years, I've made it a habit to read from the Bible daily. Sometimes when I speak at another church, I'll ask people in the congregation to raise their hands if they read from the Bible every day during the past week. Few raise their hands. That is a problem. In 2019, spend time with God daily. Read from the Bible every day. Spend time in prayer each day. My suggestion is to start your day with God. This remains the greatest piece of advice for myself and everyone else for the new year. As Hebrews 12:1 indicates, we are in a race. We're on a journey. Don't walk alone. Walk with God daily.

2. TRAVEL LIGHT

Secondly, travel light. Since we are in a race, it is important to keep our load light. Heavy burdens need to be removed. A load of guilt needs to be rolled away. Forgiveness needs to be given and received. Too many pilgrims are loaded down with unnecessary burdens. Take your burdens to the Lord and let Him lift them from you. Notice in our text that the Bible says, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” There is a difference between “sin” and a “weight.” While sin certainly weighs us down, there are other things that may not necessarily be sinful, but still weigh us down. Examine your life. There may be things that are hindering your spiritual progress. An athlete will wear light clothing when he runs. Spiritually, we should do the same. Travel light.

3. KEEP MOVING ALONG

Finally, keep moving along. As our text indicates, we are in a race. Keep pressing forward. It is tempting to quit at times. Some, for instance, quit going to church. Others have quit serving. Some have quit giving. This is not a time for quitting. If you have quit, it is time to get back at work. Return to church. Start serving again. Keep moving. I must confess that, physically, I need to get more active in the year to come. Spiritually, we should all be active. We have been created to do “good works,” (see Ephesians 2:10). I am reminded of an old Stamps-Baxter song that simply said, “Keep moving along the Gospel way.” That is good advice for the new year.

I am not promising that 2019 will be a fun year. It may be … then again, it may not be. I am not a prophet. I do believe that we are closer to the finish line than ever before. As we near the end, let us finish well. Each day, walk with God, travel light and keep moving forward.

That's my advice for the new year.