Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution? Each year on January 1st, millions of people wake up with aspirations and goals that they believe will help improve themselves in the coming year. The most common New Year’s resolutions include quitting drinking and smoking, budgeting money more wisely, eating healthily and number one...losing weight. Most of the things we resolve to do on New Year’s involve physical things.

As a Christian college, the Bible is the foundation of all we do. As Christians we are called to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. If our goals and thoughts are centered only on earthly goals, we miss that opportunity. Here is our list of 12 meaningful New Year’s resolutions that will improve your spiritual well-being, your relationship with others, and mostly importantly, your relationship with Jesus. They might sound a little familiar!

1. Remain faithful to God and seek Him first in every aspect of your life.
2. Do not let anything else become an object of worship. Whether it be money, popularity, cool gadgets, your home or significant other; direct your devotion away from things of this world and fix your eyes on the greatest rewards which are in heaven.
3. Guard your tongue from wickedness and do not use profanity, especially as it pertains to the name of God.
4. Do not become so involved in your work that you neglect to take time to worship God. Keep (at least!) one day per week holy, unwind, and enjoy your time meditating in the presence and Word of God.
5. Let your parents know how much you love and respect them. If you do not have a good relationship with your parents, resolve to work on forgiveness and mending the relationship.
6. Impersonate God, who is abundant in love and slow to anger. According to Jesus, extreme feelings of fury and rage are as serious as murder. Channel your anger into tender mercy and grace.
7. Remain faithful to your spouse (or future spouse) and do not act in impurity, even if it’s just a passing thought. Honor the commitment you made to him/her and to God on your wedding day.
8. Do not take anything that doesn’t belong to you and conduct yourself with integrity, even when nobody is watching.
9. Speak truth. Do not gossip about others and make certain that your words and actions are not deceitful.
10. Be content, thankful and grateful for all God has blessed you with. Do not worry about what others may have.
11. Love your neighbor as yourself and treat people the way you would like to be treated.
12. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.

As we reflect on the trials and triumphs of the past year and optimistically look ahead to the coming year, resolve to practice these last two items above all the others. If we truly focus on loving one another, loving God and seeking righteousness, the new year will truly be one to remember!