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“The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

If you’re a New Year’s Resolution kind of person, then during this week between Christmas and New Year’s Day you may be mulling over the changes you’d like to make in 2023 (still hard to believe another year has come and gone!). Perhaps you’ll write a list to post on your fridge or tuck away in a drawer. Maybe you’ve purchased a fresh journal in which you’ll decree your “to-dos” and “not-to-dos” for the year, with the intention to fill its pages with your 365-day journey. Or maybe you’re a “word-of-the-year” person—choosing a single word for 2023 to intentionally drive your thoughts, words, and actions.

Maybe, though, you think New Year’s Resolutions are for the birds, and January 1 is simply a flip of the digital calendar page.

Whatever your perspective on one year’s end and another’s beginning, time is undeniably ticking for all of us—whether you’re 18 or 88. And life’s passage, dear friend, requires growth and development. In fact, as followers of Jesus Christ, we Christians are made to be transformed. At the moment of salvation (surrender to the work of Jesus on our behalf), we are made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17)—the old nature passes away as we are forgiven and set free from the shackles of sin. Then, our life task is to be continually conformed into the image of Christ, day by day. To progress in holiness and righteousness, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, as we walk through this life toward heavenly glory (Colossians 3:10; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). We are called to spiritual evolution.

But how do we accomplish this? We have all the instructions we need in the Bible! God’s Word is a light to our path (Psalm 119:106), the bread of life (Matthew 4:4), the truth (John 17:7), purposeful (Isaiah 55:11), and eternal (Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 40:8). God’s Word teaches, corrects, and equips us (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12). And that’s just the start. For a full description of the power of God’s Word, check out Psalm 119!

Reading and meditating on God’s Word keeps us focused on truth—it informs us who we are in Christ, what is right amid this upside-down world, and how to keep from falling prey to the enemy’s schemes. God’s Word is powerful—in fact, “by the Word of the Lord the heavens were made” (Psalm 33:6). And it will convert, convict, console, and conform us. Most importantly, God’s Word keeps us from believing the pervasive cultural lies that constantly bombard us. Through reading and studying the Bible, our minds are renewed daily and stay clear, rather than being dulled and lulled into succumbing to the wide path of worldly ways. It’s so much easier to go with the flow than to swim upstream. But God’s Word roots us in truth, strengthening us to stand firm and walk in wisdom, not as a fool.

So, for 2023, consider making a New Year’s evolution—a commitment to grow deeper in your faith and knowledge of God through the study of His Word. Day by day, plunge into the amazing Truths laid out for us from Genesis to Revelation. I promise, friend, whatever your personal vision for next year may be (or if you don’t do resolutions at all), if you consume the Daily Bread of the Bible each day, you will be changed for the better. And, if you haven’t yet experienced the freedom offered by Jesus Christ—reconciliation with God, forgiveness, and new life—why not make today that day? There’s no better way to kick off the New Year than with an entirely new you.

“Lord, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Thank You for clearly providing Your pure and powerful Truths so I can walk in wisdom, live with righteousness, and experience Your peace.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life