“The only journey is the one within.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke

The next year has arrived. This is when people typically think about making new choices and changes. It’s an annual place marker that reminds everyone to take stock of things and perhaps make some course adjustments.

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language 
And next year’s words await another voice.” 
― T.S. Eliot

I recently read a devotional that grabbed my attention as I thought about making resolutions for another new year. Here is a sentence that struck me between the eyes.

“The battle is lost or won in the secret places of the will before God, never first in the external world. The Spirit of God apprehends me and I am obliged to get alone with God and fight the battle out before Him.” – My Utmost for His Highest Devotional

It’s not really a matter of repairing my outer life. Making changes in my life is really a matter of facing up to God. We fool ourselves by thinking that we can just make an adjustment here or there – stop eating cheese or be nice or even go to church more often.

Where is God interested in taking you this next year? He’s not going to do it without first having a long sit down conversation – maybe even several. You can’t waste another year putting God on hold.

What are the broken places in your life that need to be repaired? Which habits need to be faced? In which direction should your life be heading? God is ready to keep transforming your life. He is ready to resolve things. He is able to take you through the storm that’s here today.

God always has something bigger and better to resolve in my life than I would ever have thought possible. I tend to settle too often for the here and now. He always wants to transform my fears and failures into something I never dreamed possible.

And 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. – Philippians 1:6

What about this year facing your own big obstacles? What about joining forces with God to bring about some eternal changes in your world?

“If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world. ” ― Vance Havner