The One Thing in 2016 That Will Change Your Life

Another year is behind us and we ask ourselves, Where did it go? Did you do some reflection at the start of the new year to glean the nuggets of wisdom you gained along the way? Or did you just sigh a relief that you made it through. I know if we are not careful, the years can just roll into one another like the waves in the sea and we can get frustrated that nothing seems to change—just the same old stuff with a new date. It’s been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Do I have any insane people reading this right now?

There is another interesting phenomenon that happens when reflecting on the previous year. Do you have a tendency to look at the negative and then beat yourself up over the perceived failures? It is something that I struggle with, and out of sheer frustration I want to just throw in the towel as I tell myself “What’s the use?”

Well, all that can become a thing of the past with one simple change. It requires a shift in focus from the external things that are ever changing to the eternal things that are everlasting.

So what is the one thing that will change your life in 2016? I am so glad you asked. It is something that I learned 18 years ago when I started following the One that created it all and reading this amazing book called the Bible. Regardless of what you have heard, it is a guidebook for living life on planet earth. If you are wondering why your life is lacking and you just don’t seemed to be satisfied, well this is it—the missing ingredient. It is the one thing that changes everything.

God says when we seek his Kingdom first, meaning getting into the Word and really pressing into the wisdom that is contained within the pages of this book, he will add to our lives the things we need. That isn’t always the things that we think we need but the things that he knows we really need. It’s moving from the temporal things that are passing to the eternal things that are everlasting.

One of the first things to seek after is wisdom. And how do we get wisdom? It starts with the reverential fear of the Lord. That is the beginning of knowledge and the principle thing in our lives. I wasn’t someone who was raised up in the ways of God and I didn’t read the Bible until I was 40 years old. So like many others I forged my way through life on my own and did what I thought was right in my own eyes. I was what the Bible describes as a fool and you can read in my book where that got me.

Here’s the key: When we turn our ears to wisdom and apply our heart to understanding, something transforming happens—we find the hidden treasure in the word of God. It is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. We gain knowledge and true understanding, and with that come success and protection. So I challenge you this year to read through the Bible and search for the rich treasure that is within the pages of that book. You won’t be disappointed!