I am creature of habit, so once I find something that I like or something that benefits me I typically stick with it. Years ago I was introduced to Don Whitney and his focus on the spiritual disciplines that aid and enable us to faithfully follow Jesus. Every new year I pull out a half-sheet of paper and review these questions Whitney poses.
Here is what Whtiney writes, “The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get
our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.”
1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
8. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?
9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?
Whitney concludes with these remarks, “So let’s evaluate our lives, make plans and goals, and live this new year with biblical diligence, remembering that, ‘The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage’ (Proverbs 21:5). But in all things let’s also remember our dependence on our King who said, ‘Apart from Me you can do nothing’ (John15:5).”
As we begin 2024 take some time to consider these questions. Talk them over with a friend or family member. Let’s make it our aim to better know Christ and make Him known to others this year!