Soul Searching Questions for the New Year

I know, I know, we're 20 days into 2011, so why the New Year's post now? Because I wasn't inspired until my pastor shared these questions with the congregation last Sunday. These are designed to help us "consider our ways" and look deeply at our lives for areas we need to change. They are pretty specific, because unless we identify and work on what needs changed, we'll stay the way we are.

Many of these questions not only get you to think about what you need to change or improve, but ask how you will go about it. It's one thing to have a nebulous goal of "being more like Christ." But what specific steps will you take to become more like Him? We're more likely to accomplish what we set out to do if we have a plan!

So here goes. I'd share my answers with you, but I'm still thinking and praying about many of them!

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. What one Biblical doctrine do you most want to understand this year and what will you do about it?

5. What's the single biggest time-waster in your life and what will you do about it?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church this year?

7. For whose salvation will you most fervently pray this year?

8. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

9. What single thing do you plan to do this year that will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

10. What area of your life needs simplifying and what can you do to simplify it?

11. What habit would you most like to establish this year? What will you do about it?

12. Which person would you most like to encourage this year? How will you do it?

13. What is your most important financial goal this year and what specific steps will you take to work toward it?

14. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

15. What one thing could you do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children or grandchildren?

There were many more questions on pastor's list, but these are ones I really, really feel I need to work on. What about you? Do you have any specific goals to improve your life this year?