Discomfort and Heat 

Since my wife and I have been together, we’ve celebrated ten New Year’s Eves together. Of those ten, to the best of my recollection, we’ve only stayed up (or out) late maybe three times. Every other time, we’ve basically hit the hay early, waking up by alarm to share a New Year’s kiss then drift right back off to sleep.

At this point, it’s kind of our thing to not make a huge deal out of New Years. However, about five years ago we began a tradition that I greatly value: goal setting.

You know you’re getting older when you find yourself excited about setting financial goals or planning what home renovations you’ll prioritize in the coming year! But we’ve come to realize that goal setting is a wonderful way to stay in sync with one another. It’s a wonderful way to be sure you’re priorities are aligned and still heading in the same direction.

Logistically speaking, we never setting New Years goals the same way. Usually it’s a very informal and organic practice. We go out to eat and scribble ideas on a napkin. Or we sit on the couch taking notes on our phones.

But this year, my wife helped set the tone. And the way we began really got me thinking. As we sat down on Dec. 30^th (New Year’s Eve Eve) she named the six categories we should consider: Personal, Professional, Family, Health, Financial, and Spiritual. As she named them she added “in no particular order.”

And it was that comment that most stood out to me: “In no particular order”

It’s a helpful and (in my humble opinion) great practice to set a direction for yourself. But as you think about your goals for the next year, what categories or buckets have you identified as most important? And is there a particular order in which you would place them?

Does family come before profession? Jesus certainly said in Luke 14:26, ““If you come to me but will not leave your family, you cannot be my follower. You must love me more than your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—even more than your own life!”

Does health come before finances? In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus tells the parable about those who feed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, visited the sick, etc.

Does the spiritual bucket come before all?

This year one of my goals is to recite one phrase of St. Francis of Assisi’s prayer: “Lord make me an instrument of your peace”

One of my spiritual goals for 2023 is to find and be an instrument of God’s peace. Because, after some reflection, I believe focusing on this will help the other categories all fall into place.

My prayer for you as you lean into the New Year, set goals, and go about your life… is that you pay attention to your spirit – that all else may fall into place. 

Blessings & Peace,

Pastor Taylor