5 Opportunities for 2023
2022 is nearly gone. And 2023 is fast approaching! Hard to believe! What a year we leave behind! What does the year ahead hold? Only the Lord knows. He is in control, no matter how out of control our years may seem to be. Regardless of what the Lord has ahead, we can be intentional in 2023 to not miss the opportunities the Lord has given us.
1
Reflect. Repent. Reevaluate. Have regrets from 2022? Missed opportunities? Big mistakes? For those who treasure Jesus, the good news is that we do not live with condemnation, we are forgiven. Satan will continue to accuse you with your past, but Jesus wants us to always remember His complete and sufficient sacrifice for our sin.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Though forgiven, true believers don’t settle into patterns of sin. They resist and fight their sinful flesh. God calls us to actively fill our mind with His Word that we might respond in obedience to His commands. May 2023 be a year of pursuing Christ more faithfully by actively resisting our selfish desires.
…to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.
Ephesians 4:22
2
Pray. Isn't it amazing that we have access to the throne of God! He desires for us to listen to His voice in the Bible and to respond by knowing, loving, and trusting Him more. Was 2022 a year of worries? Let us make 2023 a year of prayer, resolving to give every fear, doubt, and concern over to Jesus in fervent prayer.
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7
3
Prioritize. Oftentimes our struggles may not be with overt sin, but rather with covert failures and missed opportunities. Our days slip by too fast. May we seize each day, prioritizing our love of God and love of others. May 2023 be a year of greater intentionality with our time, thoughts, talents, and treasures!
…and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.
Ephesians 4:23
4
Resolve. A marathon requires over 50,000 steps. It doesn’t happen quickly, or easily. Each year of life can seem like a marathon. At the start of the race, and at every step along the way, we need to resolve not to quit. In Christ, God has breathed spiritual life into us, making us new creations purposed for His work here and now. Let’s resolve in 2023 to not quit, but keep pressing forward together with Jesus as our goal!
…and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:24
5
Start Again. Sometimes we all just need a fresh start. New years are new opportunities. No matter how we finished 2022, may 2023 be a year living in awe of the greatness and goodness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! May our minds be focused “on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2)!