Happy New Year, LYWB.com readers! I love that God placed the same idea on both Leanna and Beecher’s hearts for 2019—focusing on who we can be this year rather than just what we can do. (Here’s Leanna’s post, in case you missed it.) Beecher has a great, simple way of explaining this concept today. Take a look! —Samantha, LYWB.com manager
Can you believe it’s 2019? How did this new year arrive so quickly? (If you’re into dad jokes, they’d probably answer that question with this quip: “It got here one day at a time!”)
If you’re like me, you might look back on 2018 and think of some wins you had, some failures you had, and maybe a few “eh” moments—those moments are neither amazing nor horrible, thus . . . “eh.” (Nonchalant shoulder raise implied.)
I have a question for you: Do you want to dream bigger dreams, do greater things, and build stronger teams? Do you want 2019 to be better than 2018? If, like me, you answered “yes,” here’s the secret to making this year better than the last:
WHO
WHAT
Confused? Allow me to explain.
This simple little illustration means who over what. In 2019, let’s focus on who we want to become instead of what we want to do.
Before you protest and say you need to be setting goals and making resolutions, let me explain even more.
When you focus on who, your what becomes obvious.
Do you want to become someone who has a deeper, thriving relationship with God? (That’s the who part of the equation.) Then step back and set goals that help you read and study the Bible, pray faithfully, and serve sacrificially. (That’s the what part of the equation.)
I’ll use my own life as an example.
At the end of 2019, I want to become someone who is more punctual, more patient, and more intentional in loving others.
That will inform what I’m going to do.
- Maybe I’ll set aside two hours each week to serve someone in a specific capacity.
- To be more punctual, I’ll set time limits and reminders on my phone to be early rather than to run late.
- And I’ll write verses on cards to place everywhere in my home as a reminder to be patient.
See how the who informs the what?
So often we’re told that what we do defines who we are. But as believers, we should realize who we belong to first and foremost.
Take a look at what these verses have to say about who we belong to:
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isa. 43:1).
Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 100:3).
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:20).
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:19–20).
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith (Gal. 3:26).
We belong to Jesus. That’s who we are. We look to Him as the example of what our lives should look like. There’s the who/what scenario!
Okay friends, let me ask: Who do you you belong to?
And if you answered “I’m a child of God!” then here’s my next question: What are you doing to demonstrate your identity in Christ to the world?
I want to hear! Drop a line in the comments below about who you belong to and the person you want to become in 2019!
