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I can’t imagine that I am alone on this one – I am ready for a new year. Without sounding completely pessimistic, last year was hard. Wasn’t it? Likely most of us are hoping that the coming year brings with it change. But will the changes bring with them what we are hoping they will? Will we find ourselves stepping back into a place where life was prior to the pandemic?

As I said, I have no desire to sound like “Debbie Downer.” I believe that as men and women of faith, we are given the great gift of God’s hope – even in the midst of dark times. I do, however, also tend to operate not as one wearing rose-colored glasses – but rather as a realist.

I don’t believe we will see great change any time soon. I don’t have a Pollyanna attitude that within the next month things will get back to “normal.” I don’t. I think that this is true because we aren’t just being faced with a viral pandemic – that is just one piece of the puzzle. No, we are likely feeling the effects of something greater – a spiritual pandemic.

What do you do when following God (not multiple gods – not different religious leaders) – but the One God – Jehovah – is a trigger for hatred? What do you do when declaring that you serve, follow, and even love Jesus causes others to despise you, curse you, and even attempt to inflict pain and destruction upon you? What do you do when your freedom to worship God begins to be limited and even taken away?

My guess is those answers vary for us. Maybe our response is dependent upon how we answer this one question: How important is God to you?

What is your greatest treasure? What is more valuable to you – the approval of man or the approval of God?

I am hopeful that these questions aren’t just something we casually dismiss or rush through – but rather hold our attention and cause us to do some introspection. Why? Well, like it or not, we as a culture are shifting away from God.

If this is true, where is the evidence?

Turn on the TV. Pick up a magazine. Read the articles in newspapers. Listen to the radio. Watch a movie. Play a video game. Scroll through social media. Are your eyes open to what is being presented? What do I mean? It has become very apparent to me that what we are regularly subjecting our eyes, hearts, and minds to does not align with God’s word and teaching of what is good. In fact, it often runs counter to it. Instead of pushing us toward right living and obedience to what our holy God directs, we are bombarded with sin.

What is the message? Do what you want. Live your best life. Do what makes you happy.

How is Hollywood doing at promoting sexual purity? Committed godly relationships? How is the media doing at reporting accurate and true news – without seeking to slander and destroy for monetary gain and power? How are we doing at funding programs that promote life? How are we doing at recognizing God’s creation as he intended it to be?

Friend, I am not trying to beat anybody up. I’m really not. But I do wonder why we are so resistant to offend others – even if we are speaking truth – but we can so easily offend God so as not to offend man?

How important is God to you?

I think we have work to do. Hard work. I think we need to take a step back from our habits and begin to try to see what we are really putting into our bodies and minds. We need to take an analytical approach to what we are doing and the reasons why we continue to.

Before you turn on your TV, ask God to reveal to you or open your eyes to the things which are not pleasing to Him. Imagine Jesus himself sitting next to you on the couch, would you still feel comfortable playing games, watching movies or surfing sites on the web that you are currently doing without thought of him?

How important is God to you? Do you believe God is who He says He is? Do you believe that God is in fact holy? And not only that, do you believe that God also desires His people to also be holy and set apart? What are you doing to ensure that you are walking in truth? What are you investing in? Who are you listening to and seeking truth from?

Truth can be found. Truth does exist. Truth is found in Christ alone. You will not find it apart from Him.

So what should I do? If you haven’t already been living this way, it is time to create some new habits and break some old ones. Set aside time every day to interact with God. This can be done through reading His word, prayer, quiet meditation, and giving Him praise. Every day. This is the easiest thing you can do with the absolute biggest payoff. This is how we meet God more intimately, and how we begin to transform away from our sinful, selfish nature.

Next, be more intentional about how you spend your time and unwind. Find something positive to do that isn’t filling your mind with garbage, but invest in what matters to you. Engage with your loved ones. Get involved in a ministry. Sing. Write. Create. Encourage others. Exercise. Give. Read books that will help you grow spiritually.

Here’s the thing: If we aren’t able to see how far culture has drug us away from God, we may find that we are at best claiming to be Christ-followers in name only. If there are no roots to our faith, we blindly follow, submit to, and even endorse that which is direct conflict with God and truth.

I wish with all my heart that I could make this decision to stand for God and stand against the lies of culture for my friends and family. I cannot. I only get to make that decision for me. I do, however, have the ability to challenge them to explore what I am saying and search for truth.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13

What a blessed promise! What better new year’s resolution could we make?

Blessings!