I always feel a shift in my spirit when we enter into another year. A new year brings forth a fresh start; a sense of excitement and renewal in looking forward to what God has in store for the coming year. It offers us a chance to make new choices, set new goals and dream new dreams.
Thankfully, when we’re in a relationship with Jesus, we don’t have to wait for a new year; He begins the process of renewing us as soon as we make the decision to follow Him. He gives us the freedom to dream big because we know these dreams can become a reality when we put our faith in the One who makes it possible. Jesus Christ is the One who truly makes all things new.
John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to give us “a rich and satisfying life.” Let that sink in. Jesus didn’t just come to forgive us and offer eternal life; He came to redeem us from our fallen nature. He came to reconcile us back to God and the life He originally intended for us in the beginning of time.
Let’s not allow our own limitations to keep us from praying God-sized prayers. There is no limit to what He can do. He is the God of the impossible and He loves when we ask for things that we can’t accomplish on our own. We’re called to dream big dreams and pray big prayers because we serve a big God.
As I look at scripture, I’m inspired and challenged by the men and women in the bible. They prayed bold prayers of faith and God responded to their requests and moved mightily on their behalf. God is asking us to pray those same bold and powerful prayers today. Paul’s words to the Ephesians, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think,” should stir us up to pray big prayers!
As you step out into this new year, I hope it will remind you to leave the old behind and embrace the newness of life that’s found in living every day for Jesus. The best is yet to come. That is the unshakable truth for our lives when we make the decision to follow Christ.