Becoming a better you

By Rev. James Wong

A New Year resolution is generally a goal that a person sets out to accomplish during the year. Goals give us focus and direction. What about making a few New Year resolutions to become a better you?  Here are the top five you can think about.

1. Love Your Family and Friends. Love is spelled time. Take time to appreciate your loved ones and spend more time with them. Work on improving family relationships. “Those who bring trouble on their families inherit only the wind” (Prov 11:29 NLT). The most important thing in life is loving relationships. I have not seen a dying man wanting to see his bank account or land title. He only wishes to see his loved ones before  he departs. Also, reach out beyond your family circle and be a friend to others. Join a cell group and live like Jesus did; love God wholeheartedly , give and serve others fervently.

2. Get Healthy. Health is the greatest wealth. Albrecht Powell says, “Studies show that exercise reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.” “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, ... Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Cor 7 NIV). Let the Holy Spirit live in a healthy body.

3. Enjoy Life More. Jesus says his purpose is to “give life in all its fullness” (John 10:10 NLT). Our life is wrapped up in our thinking. Wrong thinking leads to wrong living and all kinds of unhappiness. “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (Prov 4:23 GNB). Very often God cannot speak to us because of our stubborn preconceived ideas. “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Rom 12:2 NLT). Think more of what God says rather than what you think. What you think could be wrong. Feed your mind with God’s Word every day.

4. Financial Health. You will be stressed if you do not have enough money to live by. But money will not make you rich, only financial education will. Beware of consumer debts and cheap airfares. Jesus talked more about money than heaven and hell combined. Why do you think he did that? Because money is a heart issue. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Tithing, giving, saving, investing and wise spending are part and puzzle of financial health. Work with a budget or else you will be driving a car without a steering. Learn God’s way of managing your finance.

5. Learn Something New. Perhaps you are stuck with a low paying job. Don’t mourn about it but consider a career change and learn all that is necessary for the new career. Learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer. Take a course, read a book or sing a new song to the Lord. Jesus talks about the new wineskins and the old wineskins (Mt 9:17). The old wineskins are useless. What you know yesterday may not be relevant today anymore. Don’t stay the same and be humble to learn. Let all the criticism of others be the motivation for you to be a better you. Offer a better you to Christ.