It is customary to make New Year’s resolutions or goals at the beginning of the year. Common ones relate to health, finances, career, family and even spiritual life. Each year I ask the Lord what He declares over the new year, especially significant ones like this one. I want to know what is on His heart for us.
What came to me was that 2020 is the year of “alignment.” Alignment to His ways and His heart. This is a word particularly for the body of Christ. Those who have put their trust in Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation. We are His sons and daughters, heirs to all that He has (John 1:12, Galatians 4:4-7). We are also His representatives on the earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). He has chosen to reveal Himself through us as well as through His word. We are living epistles/letters (2 Corinthians 3:3). That verse goes on to say that we are letters written by the Spirit of God on human hearts. It is truly “Christ in us that is the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
Though these things are true of us, we do not always conduct ourselves accordingly in actions, words or most importantly within our own hearts and minds. God has set us apart to be holy even as He is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16).
Before my cataract surgery, I used to wear glasses. Whenever I would go to the eye doctor, he would evaluate my eyes based upon the standard goal of 20×20. Each eye should measure as close to 20 as possible. Because my eyes did not meet that standard, he would prescribe lenses that would bring my eyes to that standard. Therefore, I would wear glasses to correct my vision.
Well, the nature of God is the standard. He is 20×20. He is calling us into alignment with Him. The cool thing is that He has given us everything we need to do it in the person of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:3,Galatians 5:16,25,Ephesians 5:18). He is not in you to give you a warm or gleeful feeling. He is in you to set you apart for God and connect you with His nature. The Spirit of God among other things is the manifestation of God’s nature (Galatians 5:22,23; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8). That nature can be summed up in one word – Love (1 John 4:8).
We are all on a journey to Christ-likeness (Romans 8:29). The destination of that journey is full maturity in the fruit of Love. When love is fully matured in us, that is when we become like Him (1 John 4:7-21).
In this year 2020, let us submit to the Holy Spirit’s work of aligning us with the nature of God as He teaches us the heart of God. As we read the Scriptures this year, let us ask ourselves, “What do I learn about God in this passage or this story, this chapter?” Then ask the Holy Spirit to both teach you and empower you to be aligned with God’s nature and His heart for each other and for the world (John 3:16,17). We cannot expect to walk in the power of God, if we are not conformed to the nature of God. It is not about our activities and religious practices though they have value. It is us being in connection and a dependent relationship with God (abiding in Him – John 15:1-11). Allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us with His qualities as we go about our daily lives. This is the road of spiritual maturity -sanctification. Which is another term for becoming like Christ.
Let’s do it! Embrace 2020 as “The Year of Alignment with The Nature and Heart of God!” He will take care of all the other things in our lives. They will all line up with His will and promises.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 NASB)
Many blessings! Shalom!