Evaluate

The Bible contains a template for spiritual growth, and we can be motivated to grow in the Lord and draw closer to Him as we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures. Philippians chapter 3 states:
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

So, we don't rest on our laurels or be lulled into complacency.  We are called to continue to move forward in our spiritual life - we can reflect on how God would be leading us into a more fulfilling and productive life. We have the direction of the Holy Spirit available to us, as verse 15 suggests, and we can be confident that He goes before us.  We can be careful to evaluate our lives and allow God to work in our hearts to prune and produce a greater degree of spiritual fruit. 

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In 2nd Corinthians 13, we are directed to check ourselves, to examine our spiritual productivity and how well our walk with Christ is going. Paul writes:
4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.
6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified.

I do believe that we should be people who allow God to direct our steps - He can inspire goals for our lives, and show us how we can meet them.  It's really difficult to achieve something when we don't even know what we're trying to accomplish.  While I am not a big fan of "new year's resolutions," I do admit the need for a fresh reset in our spiritual lives, and the new year gives us a date or time period on the calendar in which to evaluate and fine-tune our direction.

And, it appears that the setting of new year's resolutions is waning in popularity. A New York Post article reported:

Fifty-five percent of Americans believe that the concept of New Year’s resolutions is outdated, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 adults who follow resolutions evenly split by generation found that millennials, in particular, are the most over the classic “resolution” (66%).

Over half of those surveyed give up on their resolutions by March (52%).

So why are these resolutions not effective? According to the article, 40 percent said that they "feel too pressured by them," and about a-third "feel that they don’t create lasting change," or "feel like a chore."

The article notes that: 

The top reasons that people have not been able to stick to their resolutions are because they don’t feel motivated (38%), their priorities changed (25%) or they just forgot about them (23%).

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Almond Breeze, the survey found that although respondents find resolutions unrealistic, they’re still interested in setting goals for themselves in 2024 (52%).

Most resolutions fall into the categories of health and food - with 54% and 51%, respectively, admitting to setting resolutions in those areas. Those two areas are also the hardest to keep, with 46% each saying they're the most difficult. In the health area, almost half of those responding said, "they’d make healthier decisions if they were able to find options within their budget," with slightly less looking for "ones that taste good." Almost 4-in-10 are looking for healthy options "that are easy to factor into their lifestyle."

The Post adds, "...seven in 10 are interested in taking a different approach to New Year’s resolutions (71%)," adding, "This starts with being more realistic about their goals, as more respondents agree that it’s easier to make incremental lifestyle changes (48%) as opposed to one large change (29%)."

The generational shift is interesting, as well: those in Gen X and baby boomers focus on health, millennials gravitate toward food, and Gen Z is concerned more about money.

We have to admit that God has a plan for our lives.  Of course, He desires for us to come into a saving knowledge of His Son and to walk in obedience to His ways. Once we enter into the eternal life, He desires to express Himself through us.  We can find our guidance through the pages of the Scriptures and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  As His principles become more of a part of us, we can develop goals or objectives that He would desire for us - for His glory.

We can also take the time to evaluate how well we are doing spiritually.  The Word of God provides a measuring stick for our spiritual effectiveness; Amos refers to a "plumb line" regarding the devotion of the nation of Israel to the Lord.  We can measure ourselves by objective standards, and recognize that it's not productive to beat ourselves up or walk in condemnation over how we've missed the mark, but to trust the Lord, possess a spirit of repentance, and to seek His face, realizing that because of Jesus, we have an open, loving relationship with our Heavenly Father.  We have His Word and His Spirit to keep us on track, and the Lord desires to bear fruit through us and to show Himself faithful.