New year, new you? How to find balance at the start of the year

Rob Moye encourages us to start the new year from a place of gratitude and rest.

Where do you think you’re heading this year? To answer that, my second question for you is: what are you thankful for today?

Rather than succumbing to the ‘new year, new me’ regime, making 101 resolutions that just don’t work out and beating yourself up, start this new year thinking about the things that are already good in your life – because ‘the Lord is good to all’ (Psalm 145:9). The goodness of God knows no bounds.

For me, January is about looking at what continues to give me meaning, hope and happiness, and working towards what the future might look like. I like to walk and I particularly enjoy walking together with my dad. It gives me opportunities to process, reflect, find solace and peace, and discover my God in creation away from the busyness.

I’m thankful for the time I have with my earthly father, but I’m even more grateful when I stop, find the right balance, and have time with my heavenly Father. We need to find God, and sometimes he can’t be found in noise and busyness. As Mother Teresa once said, God is the friend of silence.

I’m reminded of these lyrics: ‘Make in my heart a quiet place / And come and dwell therein’ (SASB 777). And, from the Hillsong Worship song ‘Still’: ‘When the oceans rise and thunders roar,/ I will soar with you above the storm./ Father, you are King over the flood/ I will be still, know you are God.’ Father, you are King over the storm, the flood, over everything – the busyness, the chaos, the curveballs.

Recently I came across a quote that has helped me in my everyday: ‘Reset, readjust, restart, refocus as many times as you need to, just don’t quit.’ You see, balance is critical.

As you discover your new balance for the year, are you inviting Jesus into your everyday life – in the conversations with your friends or neighbours, over coffee, at lunch, while on your bike or swimming – in order that you see God’s action in your life more clearly?

Let’s be thankful to God for his grace and compassion towards us. Let’s be thankful for the steady reminders through Scripture, creation and other people in our lives that God is present and active in our everyday!

Remember today the simple things that make you smile as you seek new opportunities, as every moment of the present contains the seeds of opportunity for change. Your life is an adventure – live it to the full! ‘Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on him completely; never depend upon your own ideas and inventions. Give him the credit for everything you accomplish, and he will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead (Proverbs 3:5 and 6 The Voice).

I pray this year you will find time for rest, for silence, that you discover a new or different balance in your life, and that you learn to rest, not quit!

Reflect and respond

• Grab a pen and paper, or your phone, and write down:

1. One thing you are looking forward to this year.
2. One thing you are struggling with at the moment.
3. One thing you need to trust God with today.

• Pray over these three things. Why not share your list with someone else and ask them to pray with or for you too?
• Are you engaging in sports mission this year? Find out more about new resource One Body.