Everything around you is moving. Texts received and emails flooding inboxes. Schedules are filling up…quickly. Just a few short weeks ago, we had such big aspirations and goals for ourselves. But then life got busy and time flies, and it becomes hard to focus on what matters most.

God’s Word calls us to cling to Him in every season, not just in a new year. Moses wrote in the book of Deuteronomy: You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him (Deut. 13:4). You are commanded to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, your soul, and mind. But the second commandment is like it, you are commanded to love your neighbor as yourself (Mat. 22:37-39).

So, how do we stay focused on these commandments?

1.Draw near to the Lord by spending time with Him

We can foster a relationship with God by praying and talking to Him. The Bible tells us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). We can come to God in any circumstance or situation and talk to Him. He is always listening. He cares for us, loves us, and wants to have a relationship with us.

2. Spend time with other people in community

We can grow closer to God and love Him with our heart, soul and mind by immersing ourselves with other people who share our beliefs, but also those who challenge our beliefs. Matthew tells us that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them” (Mat. 18:20). God is glorified when we are among other people who encourage and draw us closer to Christ. When we seek out relationships with other people, we are loving God and being faithful to what He has commanded us to do.

3. Work on growing

In our society today, it is difficult to feel weak, incompetent or insecure, because our culture tells us to constantly feel #selflove and to embrace #girlpower. But weakness is necessary in order to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. None of us are perfect. In fact, Paul tells us in Romans that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We all sin and mess up, but we should use those moments to grow and lean into our weaknesses, which will in turn make us stronger.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory forever and ever. -2 Peter 3:18

To love God and focus on Him, we need to grow! Life is not perfect, so embrace the struggles, set goals, and surround yourself with people to help you grow.

4. Give yourself grace

When thinking about how to love God with all of our being, it is so easy to become overwhelmed and think of our shortcomings. But God’s grace is abundant! When Apostle Paul was in prison and persecuted for his faith, he wrote powerful and inspiring letters, with passages like this one:

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:8-10

It is Christ’s strength which allows us to live, grow and love. Give yourself grace! Just take the next step in front of you and do what God has called you to in this moment. Everything else will work out. You can have confidence that when you are weak, the Lord is strong.

5. Lastly, love

I have loved you with an everlasting love. -Jeremiah 31:3

Love as much as you can. Love unconditionally. When trying to stay focused on God, the best thing you can do is to love God and those around you. God has a perfect plan for your life, and He is faithful in each and every season.

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. -2 Timothy 2:1-2

Be strengthened by the Word of God. Grow in the perfect grace of God. Be encouraged by others around you. Live abundantly and give yourself grace as you learn. And love like the world has never experienced before. You are capable of finding focus this year. May the Lord continue to show His faithfulness to you in unique and powerful ways.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emma Lown is a Communication student at Lancaster Bible College. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends while hiking, traveling, taking photos, writing and running. Often nicknamed “Smiley” or “Smiley-Eyes,” Emma radiates her faith and joy. She loves new adventures and has a desire to always learn more. She has traveled globally with Global Aid Network and Jesus Film Mission Trips to capture the stories of those she meets. She is passionate about spreading love and kindness to everyone. She has been published in her school’s newspaper, the Focus, and the Conscious Magazine.

5 Ways to Stay Focused on God This Year