Every new year, I set my intentions and goals for the year. I lean into the Spirit’s leading and also pay attention to the God curated desires and cries of my heart. At the end of the year, I reassess, reevaluate, and reflect on how God has moved, what has been accomplished and perhaps- what has not.

I marvel in wonder at the perhaps of what God might do in the coming year. Some are small desires- some are big dreams. But each year I make a recommitment and set my intentions with a heart posture of surrender, leaning in and listening, watching and waiting.

So much of the time we hear about these New Year’s Resolutions- “New Year, New Me.” A commitment to what could be- but often these intentions don’t make it past the first few weeks of January. It’s great to recommit. But the truth is, scripture teaches that we need this renewal daily. Not yearly. Daily.

Perhaps that’s why New Year’s Resolutions don’t typically make it past the first few weeks.

Each sunrise offers the opportunity for something new! But our heart posture should be one of expectation and surrender to receive these new mercies.

“The faithfulness of the Lord never ends!

His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness.

His mercies begin afresh every morning.”

Lamentations 3:22

Each day we should come with open hands and a surrendered heart expectant to what the Lord could do and willingness to do what He asks of us. But this requires continual resurrender- an offering up of our will, desires, and motives on the altar of our lives- daily. Submit your will, your way.

“Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Renewal is present tense. It isn’t one and done. It isn’t once a year. But daily- a continual spiritual practice.

The song Resurrender by Hillsong Worship reinforces the significance of our resurrender.

“Mark you people with your presence

Make us a place where you delight to dwell

May we heed your hand’s correction

Oh Lord our Shepherd

You do all things well

Your love as firm as it is tender

Your law is perfect

And your judgments true

As we run to resurrender
You will restore what we return to you

You are restoring as we yield anew

If you’re calling

We’re coming

We’re not walking

We’re running

God we need resurrender

So we resurrender.”
 

If we are to be a people where God delights to dwell, then we should yield to His way in resurrender. That’s sanctification- a continual and daily renewal.

- Kierstin Almstrum, ARISE Director of Online Operations and Project Management