Are you a hot mess who longs for real, lasting change in 2024?
Goals of self-improvement peak on January 1 worldwide. But by the second Friday of January—Quitter’s Day—good intentions wane. And by the end of the month, a collective sigh is heard as many throw their hands up in surrender. New Year’s resolutions may be the worst way to change.
Why do New Year’s resolutions fail? Are we going about it the wrong way? What makes the difference between genuine change and a frustrating, futile effort?
The Key to Genuine Change is an Exchange
While we make resolutions and strive for personal growth, Jesus’ desire for us is straightforward: Exchange your life for mine. He calls us not to a changed life, but to an exchanged life.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
If Jesus is my Lord, my focus shifts away from the “universe of I.” Change comes not as a function of how hard I strive or how much willpower I muster, but through his spirit in me.
In The Overcoming Life, Watchman Nee tells a story that illustrates the difference between a changed and exchanged life:
“A few years ago, I bought a watch. The company that sold the watch put a two-year warranty on the watch. But the days that the watch was in the shop were more than the days it was in my home. Every few days the watch would break down, and I had to send it back to the shop for repair. This happened repeatedly. I went to the shop once, twice, even ten or more times. Eventually, I was exhausted. The watch was repaired over and over again, but it was never quite fixed.
“I asked the company if I could exchange it for another watch. The company said that it could not offer an exchange; it could only repair the watch, but it was never fixed. I became so exhausted that eventually I said, ‘You can have the watch. I do not want it anymore.’
“The human way is the way of constant repair. During the two years that I owned the watch, it was constantly under repair. With the human way, there is no exchange; there is only the way of repair.”
The Biblical Path to Change
To bring about positive change through an exchanged life in Christ, consider the following three questions:
#1-WHO am I changing for?
If my sole focus for change is to feel better about myself, I am free to adjust my goals at my whim. On the good days, I follow through and on the bad days, I compromise. My resolutions are subject to the rollercoaster of my emotions and energy. So is my self-esteem.
But if my identity is in Christ, I am fully loved and accepted the way I am. I can’t earn my way to a better relationship with God. By dying for my sins, Jesus offers me continual acceptance and access. I am loved unconditionally.
As a result, my efforts to improve—turn away from bad behaviors (sin) or add good practices—come from a heart of gratitude. I want to offer my best for the One who gave his life for me and with whom I will live eternally.
#2-WHY do I want to change?
Desiring personal growth, relational improvement, or professional advancement is not inherently bad. But ask yourself why these goals are important. Are they to make your life easier? Add to your happiness? Improve your self-image?
The answer to “Why change?” takes on more significance when it moves from finite, earthly goals to eternal, spiritual motivations. Bad behaviors not only hurt us, they also create a separation—a wall of shame, guilt, or regret—between us and God. And it gets worse. They injure our relationships with one another. The same result happens with sins of omission—those things I know I should do, but I don’t. Most resolutions fall into one of these two categories.
So, the best motivation for change is deeper, unimpeded fellowship with God and with it greater joy, contentment, and purpose. This will naturally lead to healthier and more meaningful relationships with our families, friends, and others.
#3-HOW do I change?
God did not call us to be achievers. Rather, he called us to humble ourselves and become receivers. The power to live a life pleasing to God comes from the power we receive from him.
In a God-centered, root-to-fruit approach to change, I ask God where I need to focus my efforts to serve him better. I acknowledge and invite the Holy Spirit—the “Helper”—to inform and empower me.
“The person who obeys Christ lives by the help of God and God lives in him. We know He lives in us by the Holy Spirit He has given us.”
1 John 3:24
Once I’m spiritually rooted in my what and why, I offer all I have—strengths and weaknesses—and trust God to pilot me to the end goal. I won’t be discouraged by setbacks or obstacles. If I’m walking in his will, I won’t fail. I have the power of heaven behind me.
Jesus: The Overcomer
With an exchanged life—I in Christ and he in me—I can tap into resources that exceed my human capabilities.
When I am weak, he is strong.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Philippians 2:13
When I am tempted, he provides a way out.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
When I am defeated, he is victorious.
“Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.'”
Luke 18:27
The Fruit of an Exchanged Life
Apart from God, self-improvement efforts hyperfocus on me. I decide the goals; and with my resources and willpower, I try to achieve them to better my life. In contrast, change through an exchanged life in Christ shifts the focus away from me. The what, why, and how of my personal growth are God-directed and God-enabled.
With an exchanged life, I gain more than self-improvement. I grow in sanctification. To be sanctified—used by God, set apart for a sacred purpose—brings unmeasurable joy and satisfaction. Instead of walking in the flesh, I manifest more fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
To exchange my life for Christ’s is a radical shift from New Year’s resolutions or self-improvement campaigns. It transforms me from the inside out. It flows from my heart and enriches my relationships, work, and ministry. It’s not only the path to a happy new year but also the way to a fulfilled life.
Your Turn
Have you made New Year’s resolutions? If so, take another look at them in light of the three questions above. If not, prayerfully ask the Lord to reveal attitudes or behaviors that have distanced you from him. Ask that he would guide you in making changes this year that would lead to a deeper fellowship with him and a more effective ministry to others.
My Scriptural Prayer for You
May 2024 be a year of exchange—you in Jesus and Jesus in you.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. For I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 , Philippians 1:6)
