When Jesus Wants To Get Your Attention

“Look, I am coming soon…” Revelation 22:12, NLT

You want to know why I love this little bit of scripture so much?

It’s that very first word.

He says, “Look…” Other translations use words like behold, see, or listen. He is getting ready to say something very significant here. I can sense the urgency. There is so much power in that one word and I know what Jesus is about to say next will change everything.

“…I am coming soon…”

Yes, I would say that is pretty important!

Christ’s promise to return can motivate us to do what truly matters.

If you have ever read my blog, you know that I am all about keeping faith simple—not complicated. So here are some practical resolutions that do not require you to wait until the New Year—you can start today!

6 Goals That Really Matter

1. Prayer

“Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about…” (Jeremiah 33:3, NLT)

Prayer isn’t just sitting in silence trying to think of something churchy to say. Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule of prayer? It is 80% listening and 20% talking.

Doesn’t that just take the pressure off?

Find a comfortable chair in a quiet place. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing—four breaths in, six breaths out—until your mind has cleared. See what bubbles up to the surface and allow God to gently speak to your heart what’s in His word.

Prayer is a game changer, my friend.

2. Bible Study

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NLT)

You have to open your Bible; there is just no way around that. It seems like a huge undertaking, but trust that the Holy Spirit will lead you down the right path.

Try memorizing verses, writing out scripture, or reading the Bible in chronological order.

Give yourself grace—knowing you probably aren’t going to understand everything you read—and that’s okay. The Bible says that the Word of God never returns void.

3. Hospitality

“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Hebrews 13:2, NLT)

Invite your neighbors over for dinner, have your coworker over to watch a football game, throw a pool party and invite over the whole youth group.

Allow people to come into your space—even if it’s not clean.

You will be shocked at how fast the walls fall down around someone when they are in your home, opening them (and you) to the work of Christ.

4. Listen

“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NLT)

Start letting more Christian voices into your daily life. Whether that means listening to a Christian radio station, following solid Bible study teachers on Instagram, watching sermons on YouTube or listening to Christian podcasts.

See how much your life changes when you allow biblical and life-giving messages to get in throughout the day.

5. Church

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20, NLT)

Taking the time out of your busy schedule to physically go to church shows that God and His people are first priority in your life.

And it strengthens your faith to worship alongside other believers.

Start this weekend—and just go. Sit in the back if you desire and wear whatever you want. All that matters is the posture of your heart.

6. Mentorship

“Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV)

Not many people would consider themselves a mentor. You might say, “how could I be worthy of that title?”

God has most definitely placed someone in your life that can benefit from your guidance and influence. And there are many people who have already walked the road ahead of you. Their wisdom, insights, and vulnerability to teach you from their mistakes is one way God provides help for you.

I heard a pastor say once that every man and woman should not only be leading someone but also be being led by someone else.

Picture three people climbing up a mountain—the person in front is helping the person behind him and the person in the middle is reaching back to help the person at the end.

That is the picture of mentorship.

As we end, you might be asking yourself what goals has to do with the advent season.

Here it is:

Nobody knows when Jesus is coming back, so we need to be prepared. We need to stop putting the most important things off until tomorrow.

Instead of focusing on New Year’s resolutions, let’s focus on setting goals that help us to go deeper in our walk with Christ—and by the way, you don’t have to wait until the first of the year to get started!

Take one step over this advent season to grow and strengthen your faith—I promise, you will be blessed for your obedience.

Author: Ally from The Modern Mary