“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Every January, people take the New Year to hit the ‘refresh’ button on their lives. Many people set new goals such as go to the gym more, eat healthier, read more books, pray more, etc. So often though, New Year’s resolutions include adding something new, fresh, and exciting to their life, but all too often we find it much easier to fall back to our old patterns. What if the greatest thing that God is calling us to do this year is not in regards to what we eat or how we spend our free time, but is to turn away from the spiritual things that hold us apart and allow for a more intimate relationship with Him.

You see, just like our physical habits from 2019, there are things that your soul can get tied to that makes it very difficult to move forward in your relationship with God. Take it one step further, there is an Enemy who is trying to convince you that there is no hope, that you’ll never be different or change from that event or choice, and that God doesn’t want a relationship with you.

The truth and good news is that God still loves you, still has the power to forgive, and the power to break the chains of the things that hold you back from Him. Here’s the catch, it’s going to take hard work and persistence in the face of the Enemy who only wants to bring you discouragement. Yet still, let’s continue to hold fast to the truth of the Father, that He sent His Son for YOU, and that He is running towards you with open arms as you take one deliberate and intentional step at a time towards Him.

Today, let’s turn away from the things that tie our soul apart from God, declare that the chains be broken, and take one step at a time towards Him.