New Year, Fresh Hope: Do The Next Thing

What better way to launch a blog than at the start of a new year?

“New year, new me”—as we are all well familiar with. Out of curiosity, I googled some common New Year resolutions. Here are a handful, specifically for women, that made me raise an eyebrow—or two.

• Treat yourself to a self-care day once a month.
• Buy yourself flowers once a month out of self-love.
• Establish a weekly “me-time” ritual.
• Track your moods daily to understand emotional patterns.
• Challenge negative thoughts by replacing them with positive affirmations.

Let’s pause here for a moment. If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this blog, it’s that it’s built on a foundation that stands in stark contrast to those resolutions. While I’ll share about health, fitness, daily life, recipes, motherhood, and the joys of being a wife, everything will be rooted in what I truly believe—all to bring glory to God. My hope is that this space feels like a place of encouragement and grace, where we can grow together in Him.

Sadly, the resolutions above reflect how I used to live. But God, in His grace, has given me a completely new heart with new desires—something I could never have done on my own. And He can do the same for you. I am so glad you’re here, and I’d love for you to stick around and continue on the journey as we walk alongside one another.

“When we live to glorify God, we step into the only truly humanizing way of living. We function properly, like a car running on gasoline rather than orange juice. And on top of that, what more enjoyable life is there? How exhausting is the misery of self. How energizing are the joys of living for another?” – Dane Ortlund

In place of the resolutions above, let me set before you 5 verses that come to mind:

• “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” – Matthew 16:24
• “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
• “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:1
• “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:3-4
• “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:15

Let us consider The Ultimate Example, Jesus Christ Himself, who—”being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2:6-8

It is easy for me to quote these verses, but at times, it is not so easy to apply them—I need His help. By His grace, He is helping me. I am thankful that He has given me the desire to live for Him, and no longer for myself. I want the things I share to help you realize that you can have a friend who understands, someone who says, “There is hope for you to begin living for something eternal, rather than the things of this world.” He truly changes every aspect of your life.

To keep this sweet and to the point, I titled this: “New Year, Fresh Hope: Do the Next Thing” for a couple of reasons:

At the end of the day, my joy is not and will never be based upon me.

There is fresh hope for you, whoever you are, reading this. You can begin this new year—and the next day—with many new “goals,” but who are you living for? Living for self may bring joy, but it is only temporary. True rest and peace are found in Jesus Christ, not in a resolution.

Christian, do the next thing. I am speaking to myself here. I know that I am called to be obedient in my role as a wife, a mother, and most of all… a follower of Jesus Christ. My lists and tasks—even in my day-to-day life—have often been the source of my joy. Sadly, perfectionism runs through my veins. I daily have to go back to the Wells of True Rest, and fix my eyes upon things which are above, not here below.

Another bullet point for perfectionism? Yes. Because that is how much I struggle with it, and I want you to know that you don’t have to have it all together. I certainly don’t- surprise! My life is filled with struggles, failed recipes, an overflow of clothes to fold, trash ready to be taken out, dusty tables, countertops, and tasks left undone. There is beauty in the chaos. The dirty dishes and clothes testify daily to you being provided for. I get to cook and care for my husband, and our precious baby is well fed and loved. These things are better than tasks done to perfection. Do not strive for perfectionism this year… perfection is only found in the One Who LIVED a perfect life for all those who believe. I am speaking directly to myself. I need this reminder daily. Hourly. Moment by moment.

Don’t try to “do it all.” Rather, do what is in front of you. Do the next thing. Single, married, widowed… do the task at hand and be obedient in the small things.

There are new morning mercies.

While there is a temptation for us all to naturally want our desires, we must take our thoughts captive and remember that we are called to serve and die daily to self. You may be thinking, “Where is the fun in that? The joy? The fulfillment?” I too used to think that way. But that, my friend, is where you will find it.

We’re in this together, weak, hand-in-hand.

Welcome to enpasi.