“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

(1 Corinthians 4:18 NIV.)

With a new year stretched out before you, goals and dreams may be floating around in your mind. Perhaps you’ve already jotted down a few.

But those things may be clouded by pain or failures from the previous year. Maybe you’re sitting in a room, completely isolated from the world, and not fitting in or understanding your next step.

If last year knocked you down, it’s time to get back up.

Read that again.

Oh, brave soul. Push yourself up, and wipe the dried blood from your lip – those times you stumbled, and the enemy tripped you. Brush off the crumbs from last year’s successes. Bandage last year’s scrapes and failures and stop fixating on them. As for the heartache and suffering you experienced last year, hold tight to the good God brought out of it and let go of the rest.

We often think of determination when it comes to someone climbing a mountain to reach the summit. Maybe your new year doesn’t involve mountain climbing, but you’ll need a fierce, determined focus to fix your eyes on the One true God who created you as you edge closer to fulfilling your purpose.

Your purpose may not involve mountain climbing either but have everything to do with a pen, a canvas, or changing a diaper. It may involve sitting alone and praying, standing up and speaking out, or reaching out and loving people who are hurting. Perhaps your training won’t involve sit-ups and a cardio workout but reading and studying Scripture.

And maybe instead of a pat on the back when you reach your summit, you’ll be greeted by the tear-streaked face of someone whose life has been changed because you allowed God to use you, someone, who was lonely and thought the world had gone off and left her behind. But your determination to focus on God led you to bring hope to her doorstep.

And so, you see, that kind of determination can change the entire course of your life and the lives of others far beyond this year.

But first, you need to get back up. Come on, now. The world needs you and the God who lives inside of you.