What will be Different in 2023?

Considering that 2022 is drawing to an end today, a good question to ask ourselves is how will 2023 be any different than 2022? Each day we make choices, some days we may strive to be like Christ and other days we may stumble and fall. But our goal as a Christian believer is to continually strive to grow in our relationship with God, letting His light shine in our lives. As we all know our daily actions reflect who we are. Proverbs 27:19 states “as in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” Thus, I would suggest that it is important to take some time at the end of 2022 to discover what we can do differently in 2023. We need to reflect on who we are and how our personal journey with Jesus is progressing. We need to look at our daily lives, activities, practices, interactions, desires, and actions. We need to ask the question who are we serving or what are we serving? Are we truly serving our Lord Jesus Christ or are we serving and worshiping an idol, that may give you some temporary pleasure, but in the end will lead you astray.

Deuteronomy 4:15-20 states: You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are.

Yes, it is difficult to change your life and hard work to walk with Jesus faithfully (it takes commitment and perseverance). But we need to forsake all idols and the world to focus our hearts, souls, and minds on Jesus (if we desire to grow). And yes, many of us have gone through tremendous struggles, hurt, pain, and anguish only to feel alone in a cold world. But, if we start fresh and repent, we will find that the love of Jesus comforts us and gives our soul peace.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 shares: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Here are some good questions we can ask ourselves while praying to the Lord:

1. Who are you serving (self or God)?

2. What helped you in your walk with God in 2022?

3. What is your deepest desire?

4. What is my calling (do I need to change anything)?

5. What do I think the Lord wants me to be doing in 2023 and beyond?

6. Do I feel fulfilled with my relationship with God? Why or why not?

7. Have I repented from my sins lately?

8. I am experiencing Christ's love, peace, mercy and grace each day? Why or why not?

9. Can other people see the fruit of the spirit in my life (love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)?

Take some time to reflect on these questions as you enter 2023 and be open to the Lord's leading. Make sure you set aside some time to listen to the Lord, enjoy His presence, His comfort, and peace. If you can do this, your life will change each and every day, and you will be blessed by a God who loves you with the deepest love, and who wants you to have peace, joy, and hope while walking with Him (you could have no better life than this)!