There’s something deeply spiritual about the turning of a year. The ancient Hebrews understood this — their calendar wasn’t just about marking time but about marking the movement of God in their lives. And here we are, two millennia later, still feeling that pull toward renewal as December fades into January.

But friends, I need to be honest with you: we’ve got it all wrong.

Our culture’s obsession with New Year’s resolutions is peak modern life — all hustle, no heart. All doing, no being. All achievement, no transformation. We’ve taken a sacred moment of reflection and turned it into yet another productivity hack.

What if there was a better way?

What if, instead of asking, “What do I want to accomplish this year?” we asked, “Who is God inviting me to become?”

This shift — from doing to being — changes everything.

A Framework for Sacred Living

Over the last 15 years, I’ve developed a practice of yearly reflection that’s less about checking boxes and more about creating space for God to shape my soul. It’s organized around ten areas of life, arranged not by urgency (our culture’s default setting) but by eternal significance.

1. Spiritual Growth
2. Service
3. Marriage
4. Parenting
5. Finances
6. Health
7. Home
8. Adventures
9. Hospitality
10. Reading

This shouldn’t feel like another to-do list. It’s a framework for paying attention to how God is already moving in your life.

The Practice

In the quiet days between Christmas and New Year’s, when the world slows down just enough to hear the whisper of the Spirit, I sit with my journal and these categories. But here’s the key — I’m not just planning, I’m listening. Not achieving, but receiving.

Under “Spiritual Growth,” I might sense an invitation to more silence, more scripture, or more Sabbath. Under ” Service,” perhaps a nudge toward mentoring or caring for a specific group of people. Under “Marriage,” maybe a call to more presence, more patience, more play.

A Word About Order

The sequence matters. I start with my relationship with God because everything flows from there. Service follows because it’s the natural overflow of a heart being transformed. Marriage and family come before career and achievements because relationships always trump results in God’s economy.

And notice how “adventure” and “hospitality” make the list? That’s intentional. The kingdom isn’t all serious business — it’s also about joy, wonder, and breaking bread together. These, too, are sacred practices.

Here’s a peek into what goals in these categories look like for me:

Spiritual Growth

Rather than setting rigid goals, I focus on sustainable practices. My current rhythm includes daily devotionals (using resources like New Morning Mercies or The Bible Recap) and in-depth Bible studies during the spring and fall semesters. Some years, I’ve set specific goals, like reading Proverbs six times, while other years, I’ve focused on developing my prayer life or exploring different forms of worship.

Service

This category helps counter my natural tendency toward selfishness with time and energy. Service looks different in various seasons—sometimes, it’s within the church (Guest Services, High School ministry, hosting Young Adults), and other times, it’s community-focused (coaching soccer, being a room mom, intentional neighboring). When time feels scarce, this category serves as a valuable heart check to ensure my schedule reflects my stated values.

Marriage

A great marriage takes work and intentionality. Sometimes my goal has been to schedule regular date nights. Currently, it’s planning daily walks together between kid activities. In challenging seasons, this category has prompted us to seek support through counseling or accountability with trusted friends.

Finances

Financial planning isn’t about restriction but intentionality. Some years require detailed budgeting, others focus on specific savings goals. The key is being proactive rather than watching resources disappear on unplanned purchases (though I’ll never give up my Pike’s roast completely!).

Parenting

As a mom of two middle schoolers, I’ve learned I can’t control my children (a daily reminder!), but I can be intentional about our home environment. This category focuses on family rhythms, dinner table conversations, and choosing meaningful activities that shape our children’s hearts.

Health

For me, success in health goals comes down to accountability. I run on Mondays because my friend waits at the corner, and I swim on Wednesdays because my lane mates expect me. Signing up for events that stretch my comfort zone provides just enough motivation to maintain consistency.

I’m all about moderation, so while I love to work out and eat salads for lunch most days, you’ll also find me digging into Thai food on Friday nights and chips and queso with my girlfriends.

Home

After 14 years of renovating fixer-uppers with my husband, home projects are a constant in our lives. We plan renovations based on budget and time availability, doing much of the work ourselves. It’s a long journey, but we love transforming houses into homes for our family.

Adventures

Whether big or small, adventures keep life vibrant. We calendar these intentionally, coordinating with friends to ensure we prioritize fun amid daily responsibilities. From camping to skiing to hiking, these moments create lasting memories.

Hospitality

Both my husband and I are introverted and we also love to host (yes, it’s possible!). We’ve found joy in opening our home. Sometimes, we have formal dinners, but usually, we have casual gatherings with kids everywhere and never enough chairs. Tacos are our go-to, and somehow, they always work beautifully.

Reading

Nerd alert! I love to read and always have. My reading goals have flex with life’s seasons. From just 2-3 books during the baby years to 40 books across different genres in more spacious seasons, I’ve learned to adapt while keeping this soul-nourishing practice alive.

An Invitation

As you approach this new year, I invite you to a different way of planning. Not the frantic energy of resolution-making but the quiet attention of spiritual discernment.

Ask yourself:

• What is God doing in my life right now, and who is he inviting me to become?
• Select categories that reflect your values.
• Prioritize them in order of importance
• Use them as a framework for intentional living throughout the year

These categories aren’t about perfection but direction. They help ensure our most important priorities don’t get lost in life’s daily demands.

Remember, the goal isn’t to optimize your life. The goal is to orient your life toward the kingdom of God. To create space for transformation. To become, slowly but surely, more like Jesus.

✏️  AUTHOR CREDITS

This blog was written by the Mission Hills Church Communications Team.