It is New Year’s Eve. A day when we will find ourselves rethinking the past year. Did we meet the goals we set last year? Did we have some successes? What about failures?

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Maybe it’s a day when we hope next year will be merrier and brighter. Or a day when we say good riddance to this past year. Or maybe a day when we are thankful for what 2012 brought to our lives and hope that 2013 will be just as good or even better.

It takes us weeks, or even months, to write the correct date on a check. We have to stop to think how old we are in this New Year. I find this difficult because my birthday is just 13 days into each New Year.

For each of us, this day brings something a little different, but for all of us, we look at this day as an end of one thing and a new beginning of another.

So as we close out this old year and begin a new one, do you already have some goals set for the year 2013? If so, I’d love to hear about them! Setting goals (or making resolutions) are a great way to start a brand, spanking-new year. The problem is sticking to them.

The writer of Hebrews shares a plan in chapter 10 that is headlined, “A Call to Persevere.” Isn’t that what we need to do with our goals? Persevere through them?  Persevere to meet them? Yes! So let’s see the plan set here that leads to perseverance.

Hold on confidently (Hebrews 10:19)

Our confidence comes from knowing Jesus. Because we belong to Him, we are able to approach God’s throne and ask for help with meeting our goals. And then with confidence, we can be assured that our goals will be met.

Draw near to God (Hebrews 10:22)

If you’re like me, you’ve set goals in the past to get closer to God. Whether it’s Bible reading, study or memorization, we feel the need to draw nearer to Him. Year after year we set the same goals. Why not try something different this year? How about doing it? Draw near to God. Deepen your relationship. You can do this. I can do this.

Hold unswervingly to hope (Hebrews 10:23)

Losing hope is probably the reason we fail at meeting our goals. When we feel hopeless, nothing matters. Well, this passage tells us to hold on to hope. Without fail. Without diversion. Without swerving. Hold on to hope. It will be a great motivator for goal-reaching.

Consider how to spur one another on (Hebrews 10:24)

Find someone to go on this journey with you. Maybe someone who has the same goals as you, but not necessarily. Find someone that can be an encourager for you and then be ready to encourage someone else. You will more likely be able to reach your goals if you know you have to share with another how you’re doing. Encouragement is also a great motivator.

Don’t give up meeting together (Hebrews 10:25)

For the Hebrew Christians, meeting together brought all of these elements together. As a group they were able to fight off the temptation to quit.

The price was high for these Christians. We read in this passage that they were publicly exposed to insult and persecuted. Their property was confiscated. But together, they were able to persevere. Together we can persevere. Together we can meet our goals.

We may not be under the kind of attack the Hebrew Christians were, but Satan will be there in the midst of your goal reaching and he will continue to tell you that it’s not worth it. But don’t you believe him! It is worth it. Each goal you set for yourself has some value to you. Therefore it is valuable.

The precious words from this Hebrew writer are so encouraging to me. They lifted me up at a time when I was pretty low. Some of my goals for 2013 may be lofty. But some are also basic. Loving God and loving others more. It can’t get any more basic than that.

I pray that your goals for 2013 are attainable. I pray that you’ll use these steps to help you reach those goals. It would be wonderful to look back on 2013 and say, “I did it! This year I did it!” And know with confidence that it was God who helped you with those goals.

Hebrews chapter 10 ends with these words. “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 – NIV)

That is our ultimate goal. To receive the promise of eternal life with God because of our perseverance. I look forward to that day with great expectation. I pray that you do as well.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna