Get goal-oriented and stick with It. You’re probably thinking, “Isn’t that what resolutions are all about?” If that’s your thought, then you’re right… in a way. The truth is that we make “New Year’s resolutions” with good intentions but without much “stickiness” applied to keep to the goal.
Be honest, besides achieving the next level in that video game you play, how many goals have you set and stuck with until achieving the goals? Sure, there are teenagers who have achieved some goals during the past year and should be commended for such; but there are many more teenagers (and adults, for that matter) who have good intentions but never see any results.
It seems almost impossible to make resolutions and get them to stick. However, if you make some realistic goals for this new year, and then stick with them, you will see results. Keep in mind, when you are making those goals for the new year, ensure that the goals move you closer to Jesus, not farther away. Here are some worthwhile and reasonable goals for you to consider…
1. Fall in Love… with Jesus
As a true Christian teenager, you already trust Jesus for your salvation (if you’re not sure about this, read “The One Way” on this site) and you are probably regularly attending your church’s youth ministry activities. You may even have a scheduled devotion that you try to fit in to your daily routine. And, I’m sure if someone asks, “Do you love Jesus?” your answer would be, “Yes, of course.” But, have you really fallen in love with Jesus? How far have you gone, or would you go, for Jesus? How often is He on your mind?
I know Christian teenagers who text dozens, and maybe hundreds, of times a day on their phones – to their best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. But these same teenagers never have the time to write a note in a prayer journal for Jesus.
So, how do you fall in love with Jesus? First, start by making Him your friend and sharing time with Him. Get to know Him better by praying and reading His Word daily. Demonstrate your love toward Jesus by trusting Him when He gives you advice and letting Him have a key part in your life, including the everyday decisions you face.
We love him, because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19 (KJV)]
2. Demonstrate God’s Love by Sharing Christ with Others
Since you are a Christian, you are filled with God’s love. Why not resolve to demonstrate that love more this year? Demonstrate God’s love by showing more love to others who are close to you – family members, friends, and neighbors – and by sharing that love with those you encounter who are lost and in need of God’s saving grace.
One of the greatest needs in the church today is the need for a generation of young people who are sold out on Jesus Christ and are boldly sharing His love with the world around them. Spreading God’s love is the most practical way to make a difference in the world. Start today and make it your goal this year to tell others about the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. – Romans 5:5 (KJV)
3. Learn about a Ministry
As a teenager, you should be looking for your passion in life – God’s perfect will – that provides a fullness that won’t come from anything else. God has gifted you with special talents and abilities so that you can fulfill His will. So many teenagers drift through these transitional years with the intent to get a job, get through school, and basically just get by until adulthood when they can “have a life”.
God wants you to have a full life now, even as a teenager. That fullness comes from recognizing your spiritual gifts, using them for a purpose and with a passion for God’s service. Learn to love serving others (in other words, minister to others) and get involved.
For example, you could sing in the church choir or help in a children’s ministry. Maybe, you could go on a service-oriented mission trip; or, if God directs, you could prepare for a full-time role later in life as a pastor, teacher, or missionary. When you find your area of ministry, surrender to it and jump in with passion.
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. – 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)
4. Be a Better Person (A Better Christian)
This resolution appears on many non-Christian teenagers’ lists of New Year’s resolutions (except that I rephrased it as “Be a better Christian”). In fact, “Be a Better Person” was recently in the top 3 on the about.com Teen Advice forum list of resolutions. So, what does this resolution involve? Since being a better Christian makes you a better person, let’s concentrate on that.
What would make you a better Christian? How about demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit instead of the fruit of the flesh? God gives us the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 and 5:23 – love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (self-control). Demonstrating these characteristics in our life would make any of us a better Christian and a better person.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)
5. Learn to Like Yourself
Even as the previous goal was to be a better person, it is important to have self-esteem, or to “like” yourself the way God made you. “Liking” yourself doesn’t mean you don’t grow and improve; it means that you are content with who you are.
Popular media feeds teenagers a message telling them what they should look like, dress like, sound like, etc. Today’s media promotes the idea that if you don’t fit the mold, you don’t fit in and pressures teens to conform to that model. That message is opposite of the truth that God provides. In fact, God’s Word shows that each of us are created in His image and bear many of His characteristics (Genesis 1:26). And, God tells us not to conform to the world’s image, but to transform through growing in Him (Romans 12:1-2).
A lack of self-esteem results in discouragement, inactivity, depression, and even worse. Although God does not want you to be prideful, God never intended for you to lack self-esteem. As His creation, He loves you and wants to help you succeed – just the way you are.
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. – Luke 12:7 (KJV)
6. Be an Encourager
These days it seems that people are naturally negative. It’s so easy to cut down a friend when it seems convenient, or to talk about others in a negative way. This year, you can try to be different – be an encourager to your friends and others close to you. When things don’t seem to be working out for a friend, don’t point out the problems or the obvious troubles. Rather, point to a solution, offer a helping hand, or simply stay by their side through the difficult time. True friends are encouragers, not discouragers and naysayers.
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)
7. Stay Pure
Purity has always been an issue for teenagers. So-called friends are telling you that it’s OK to do things that are morally or ethically wrong just to be “cool” or to “fit in”. For many teenagers, the pressure is so great that they “give in to fit in”. Fortunately, there has been a recent trend to make purity cool. Thanks to teenagers who aren’t afraid to stand up for what is right, there are campaigns for abstinence from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and sexual activity. But even if it purity weren’t cool, it’s still right to abstain from those types of activities.
Maybe you’ve made some mistakes in the past regarding purity. That doesn’t mean you can’t make the commitment to stay pure this year. If you have kept yourself pure, make this resolution an annual commitment to continue staying pure. It’s important to be pure and ready for what God has for you. In spite of the pressures around you, God can help you withstand the temptations and keep this resolution.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)
As we enter into this new year, try to make some goals that will make a difference in your life, and in the lives around you. Get close and stay close to Jesus this year!
