My Grown-Up New Year’s List

My Grown-up New Year's List
My Grown-up New Year's List

Have you ever made a grown-up list? One of those wish-lists since you started adulting of what you really need in life—what matters most.

What if we made a grown-up list for the new year?

A list where we reflect and make an intentional plan of action with the Lord.

Although I’ve never really been a resolutions kind of girl, it’s a good time for reflecting on the previous twelve months.

Because when we evaluate the last year, what happened, how we responded, and the lessons (takeaways) we learned from our circumstances, it’s helpful for our future.

Obviously, there are things we cannot control in the world or our world. But we control our mindset, heart focus, life vision/mission, and spiritual journey.

And if we’d rather our start-overs, second chances, and U-turns for a new year not ride in on the coattails of our previous year, then we reflect and put measures in place.

So I decided to make a grown-up new year list, along with the Lord, of three main areas.

(1.) Mindset: What if our best grown-up mindset is to desire the mind of Christ? 

But how do we go about seeking the mind of Christ? The Bible tells us: set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2); do not transform to the world, but transform by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2); and to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

More biblical wisdom gives us further insight:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

What we think about, set our minds on, is of utmost importance. If affects every aspect of our life. Do we desire to have the mind of Christ?

These scriptures give us intentional steps to a grown-up mindset.

“‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16 (ESV)

(2.) Heart Focus: What if our best grown-up heart focus is the greatest commandment according to Jesus? 

My Grown-up New Year's List

When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 (ESV)

So it’s about loving the Lord with all of our heart—all of who we are.

And more biblical insight tells us: the Lord looks at the heart, not outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7); we ask for a clean/pure heart (Psalm 51:10); storing God’s Word in our heart to keep from sin (Psalm 119:11); and guard our heart above all else (Proverbs 4:23).

(3.) Life/Spiritual Journey: What if our best grown-up life journey is letting God be God? 

Often, sometimes without realizing it, we take the reins from God and make a mess of things in our life. When God is holding the reins, He reigns supreme in our lives.But when we are holding the reins, we become our own god, master of our own universe.

What will the new year hold if we simply let God do His job as God? And what if we let the Almighty reign over our decisions, circumstances, dreams, and life?

Most importantly, isn’t He the only One who perfectly fills the role as God? No other person or god meets the requirements like our heavenly Father. He’s the most qualified and the most trustworthy.

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:8 (ESV)

My Grown-up New Year's List

Happy New Year!

May 2025 be directed by the Almighty in whom we place our ultimate trust and give our heart to completely!

Which point from my grown-up new year list speaks the most to you? Anything you would add to your own list?

Featured photos courtesy of Canva.

Also see, Unleash God’s Power: 6 Prayers.

Karen Friday

Whether the spoken or written word, Karen thrives in moving an audience to experience laughter, tears, surprise, and deep reflection. She not only possesses an affection for words (just ask her family), but she also cherishes God’s Word. Karen is an award-winning writer who has published both devotions and articles with a mission to know Jesus more and make Him known. She contributes to several national sites while she works on her first non-fiction book. In the blogging world, she is referred to as “Girl Friday” where she shares a central message: you are never far from hope. And she considers her life as a pastor’s wife and women’s ministry leader a sacred calling. Karen and her husband Mike reside in East Tennessee and have two grown children and two grandchildren. The entire family is fond of the expression, “TGIF: Thank God it’s Friday.” They owe Monday an apology. Connect with her blog community, Hope is Among Us.

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