I love new beginnings! And welcoming in a new year is the perfect setting. We’ve said goodbye to the year behind and gaze at the twelve months rolled out ahead of us like a red carpet. What will they hold?
Lots of people make resolutions but I’m more of a goal-setter. I like to have one main goal that I can keep in the forefront of my thoughts at all times—simple and clear—so I don’t lose sight of it. I’ll make lots of smaller goals throughout the year, but my main goal will be the umbrella I operate under in the coming months.
This year’s goal didn’t come from lofty pondering. It really came from a longing in my heart, born out of prayer. My goal is straightforward and to the point…I want to truly deepen my walk with God.
And, in case you’re thinking, “Shouldn’t that be a goal we have every year?” The answer, of course, is a resounding “yes” just like the answer to most questions asked in Sunday school is “Jesus!” Pursuing a meaningful, growing relationship with God is what we do as believers in Christ. And we shouldn’t have to start a new year to make that a priority.
The reason it’s become my intentional goal this year is so I will have laser focus toward it in a way that is fresh and mindful. I want a “deeper walk with God” to become the measuring stick for how I spend my time, what relationships I invest in and what I create as an artist.
I solidified this goal for myself shortly after dipping my toe in the month of January (more like strapping on a boot for those of us that live in Minnesota!). About that same time, I began a new reading plan that takes me through the Bible by the end of the year. Here’s the cool thing that happened next…
On day three of the reading plan I found myself in Genesis 5 arriving at the genealogy from Adam to Noah. It’s easy to get bored with these delineations and tempting to skim over them quickly. But God had a little gem nestled into these verses just for me (or at least it felt like it was just for me on that particular day!).
In reading through Adam and Seth and Enosh and Kenan and Mahalalel and Jared, we’re told how old each one was when they had a son, how long they lived after, and then they died. Unvarnished facts, repeated for each one. But verses 21-24 interrupt the cold repetition with some surprisingly warm statements about the next individual. Enoch, the son of Jared, we’re told, “lived in close fellowship with God!” The words jumped off the page and caught quick in my throat! Enoch’s relationship with God was so notable it could not be left out of this genealogy! And then the verse continues:
“Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.” - Genesis 5:23-24
If that last verse doesn’t make the hairs on your neck stand up I don’t know what will! The Bible doesn’t say “and then he died.” God actually just took Enoch to be with Him! Of course, I’m not a theologian, but it makes me wonder if the relationship between the two was so close God simply couldn’t bare to have Enoch in the world any longer.
On the heels of my renewed desire to grow closer to God, He reminded me how dear our relationship with Him can be. He values our time and attention. He wants us to draw near. He desires relationship with us. Of course I don’t expect to be taken by God one day like Enoch was, but I do want to walk in close fellowship with Him.
So I welcome this new year with outstretched arms, leaning into my Lord and Savior with an open heart, and looking forward to growing closer to Him in the days and months ahead. And, by the way, if you decide to make deepening your walk with God the focus for your year, I will gladly cheer you on! The Bible says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). It’s a promise. Let’s embrace the nearness. Why would we want to settle for anything less?