Answers

Q:

If you could ask God to do just one thing in your life during the coming year, what would it be?


A:

If I could ask God to do only one thing in my life, it would be to grow closer to Him during the coming year. In fact, this is my prayer — and I hope it’s your prayer, as well.

Why is this my prayer? One reason is because when we aren’t close to God, it means we are separated from Him and have turned our backs on His plan for our lives. We may think that’s best for us — but in reality it only leads to insecurity and unhappiness. The Bible warns, “‘There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked'” (Isaiah 48:22).

But God loves us, and He knows what is best for us — and when we stay close to Him and seek His will, He gives us peace. This doesn’t mean all our problems will vanish — but it does mean that even in the midst of our troubles, we’ll know God is with us to help us and give us hope.

Make it your goal this coming year to grow closer to God. How does this happen? It happens first of all as we commit our lives to Jesus Christ, asking Him to forgive us and come into our hearts — and then turning our lives over to Him. Have you done this? It happens also as we seek to live according to His Word, the Bible, and as we pray and commit every decision to God. It happens too as we draw strength from our fellowship with other believers. Jesus’ promise is true: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).