New year, new you, right?
Actually nothing about the new year changes you at all, and we know that. But… it is a great time to reflect on the year that’s passed and decide what you want to do differently in the future.
It’s been quite a few years since I’ve chosen a word for the year. Previously, I’ve focused on the words ‘simplify’ and ‘intentional’. I’ve made New Year’s Resolutions in the past, and the one thing I lacked before has become my word for 2017.
Diligence defined by dictionary.com is constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.
And Merriam-Webster defines diligence as persevering application.
Constant AND earnest effort? Yeah… not so much… I’m not so good at persevering at. all. I’ve only recently realized this. While I’ve accomplished a few good things in life, I’ve allowed the things that I want most in life to be crowded out by “busy work” and things that won’t matter in the end.
In evaluating the past year and looking forward to the new one, I admit that I am very weak in the “stick-with-it-ness” department. I tend to stick with things only as long as I get the results I’m seeking. Of course, in the long term, this has produced very little results at all.
I’ve been reading James 1:2-4 over and over, every day for the past week or so. I believe the Lord has led me there and has led me to this word for the year. This is where my focus needs to be–on doing ONLY those things that He has called me to do and to do them well.
And to do them diligently, without giving up.
So, this is my year to BE DILIGENT. This is my year to persevere.
I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for the New Year.
What about you? Did you make New Year’s Resolutions for 2017? Have you chosen a word to focus on for the year? Leave a comment, and let me know.