The calendar is about to reset again—January 1st looms, accompanied by the pressure to start fresh. Armed with optimistic resolutions, we take our first steps into the unknown terrain of another year.
But by March, those resolves often lie abandoned along the roadside, trampled under the steady march of everyday life. Our determination wanes with the passing of winter. Those new gym routines and organizational systems become relics of the past before spring blooms.
What went wrong? The problem lies not in setting worthy goals but in placing our hope in resolutions rather than in Christ alone. We look for change through our feeble striving rather than relying on His transforming power.
I recently found the lyrics to A.B. Simpson’s hymn, “Himself.” It moved me tremendously, and I want to share its message with you. The refrain sets the tone for pursuing the Lord above all else in the new year:
“All in all, forever, Only Christ I’ll sing;
Everything is in Christ, And Christ is everything.”
When He alone is central, everything takes its proper place. Our desires are set in line with His purposes. Strength is found not in human efforts but in His endless supply. This hymn traces the journey from self-reliance to the place where Christ Himself is our all.
Once We Sought the Blessing, Now We Seek the Blessed
Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted,
Now, the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.
In the first bloom of faith, we often gravitate toward God’s gifts more than the Giver. We want the blessings He provides but care little about a relationship with Him. Like demanding children, we clamor for presents without considering thanking the loving parent who gives them.
But this new year, may we seek God’s face first and foremost. The Psalms set forth the beautiful invitation to “seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11). When we set our hearts upon knowing and enjoying Jesus above all else, we find He truly satisfies. His presence is sustenance to our souls.
Once We Tried, Now We Trust
Once ’twas painful trying,
Now ’tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation,
Now the uttermost;
Once ’twas ceaseless holding,
Now He holds me fast;
Once ’twas constant drifting,
Now my anchor’s cast.
How often do we try to manufacture change and growth in our pathetic strength instead of relying on the power of the Holy Spirit? We attempt spiritual transformation through fleshly striving and fall flat on our faces. This new year provides another opportunity to shift from anxious doing to Spirit-empowered being. As Paul asked the Galatians, “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3)
Walking closely with Christ day by day cultivates soul-deep trust. Our striving melts into His peace. As Isaiah proclaimed, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3). May we enter 2024 with minds steadfastly set on Jesus, finding in Him the perfect peace that passes understanding.
Once We Planned, Now We Pray
Once ’twas busy planning,
Now ’tis trustful prayer;
Once ’twas anxious caring,
Now He has the care;
Once ’twas what I wanted,
Now what Jesus says;
Once ’twas constant asking,
Now ’tis ceaseless praise.
It is tempting to blaze into a new year fueled by our plans and schemes. We diligently make our lists and outline our agendas. But how quickly do those flawless strategies crash and burn? “You may make your plans, but the LORD determines your steps,” Proverbs wisely cautions (Proverbs 16:9). God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. He sees the whole picture while we glimpse only fragments. Walking with Christ, we can increasingly relinquish our agendas and lift trustful prayers instead. We release choked white-knuckled grips to grasp His gentle Shepherd’s hand. What freedom we find in abandoning our way for His! What adventure awaits those who yield their plans to His perfect will?
Once Our Effort, Now His Power
Once it was my working,
His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him,
Now He uses me;
Once the pow’r I wanted,
Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored,
Now for Him alone.
Left to ourselves, we end up relying on human effort and working in vain. We run on empty strength in our feeble attempts at lasting change and spiritual growth. But the Lord does not intend for us to labor alone in futility. He wants to demonstrate His glorious resurrection power in and through us! As Zechariah proclaimed, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).
This new year, may we fix our eyes fully on Jesus. May we learn to rest in who He is and what He has already accomplished on our behalf, freeing us from striving. As we abide in Him, we will bear fruit that remains for eternity. The weakness of human resolutions pales in the brilliant light of Christ’s life-giving power.
As the beautiful chorus concludes, may the cry of our hearts be:
“All in all, forever, Only Christ I’ll sing;
Everything is in Christ, And Christ is everything.”
Let’s make 2024 a year focused on pursuing the Lord Jesus above all else. For He alone is the solid rock on which our lives can stand secure. He alone is worthy.
Putting It into Practice
As we close, let’s consider a few ways we can practically pursue Christ above all in the coming year:
1. Start each morning by inviting the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide your steps. Pray for strength to walk in God’s will and ways rather than your own.
2. Regularly read and meditate on Scripture. Ask God to reveal more of Himself and align your heart with His truth.
3. Write a journal about how God is moving in your life. Reflect on areas where you are still clinging to control rather than fully trusting Christ.
4. Make worship a lifestyle, not just an event. Fill your days with praise music, constantly lift prayers of gratitude, and see every task as an act of worship to God.
5. Deal with sin decisively. Don’t rationalize or downplay anything that pulls you from Christ. Repent and turn towards Jesus, receiving His forgiveness.
6. Plug into community. Christian friends can encourage you to pursue Christ when your motivation lags. Their godly counsel also helps prevent drifting.
Let’s steadfastly encourage one another to fix our eyes on Jesus each day. He is faithful to complete the work He began in us. And as we seek Him first, we will find Him to be everything we need.
Josh Cehulik 