At the beginning of every New Year, we see the marketing begin for “a new you.” Diets, weight loss programs, fitness centers, fitness gear, financial programs, all the tools we might need to make positive changes come at us to buy or join up. Even Home Depot and Lowes put all their advertising dollars into pushing bins, tubs, shelves, and organizational items. And then of course there’s the new specialty calendars.

More than anyone, God knows we need opportunities for fresh starts and new beginnings. Today, I want to offer you another resource for your new year. I want to introduce and invite you to take part in a spiritual concept that could help drive real change in your life. I’ll offer you two approaches to this concept:

First, what if you looked through your Bible, went through the concordance in the back, or searched online and found a Bible verse or passage that will be your theme for 2021? A verse you will claim for your life and pray into your life all year long.

Second, you might even want to consider adopting a life verse. Find a verse or passage that becomes like a mission statement, a life filter for you that helps you make decisions, choose direction, and apply to every aspect of your life.

What if when questions or crises arise, temptations fly in your face, or offers are presented, you quoted your verse to yourself and then answered honestly how that truth affects your dilemma? You can memorize your verse, write it on a 3 X 5 card and put it on your car dash, write it in Sharpie on your bathroom mirror, or record it on a voice memo so you can play it as often as you need to hear it.

What if your life verse or your 2021verse was Micah 6:8? How might this help you navigate choices this year?

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:

What about Ephesians 4:31-32?

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (NLT)

If you want to see real change this next year, adopting a verse can create a great “litmus test” or a mission statement for your life. Pray, read, look up, and ask God to lead you to what He might want you to apply and focus on this next year. He will show You. After all, it’s His Word.

There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 MSG)

Let’s pray: “Heavenly Father, I ask You to show me a verse in Your Word that I can place into my life as my mission statement for 2021. Give me a personal word from You for my life. I know You can show me and Your Word will help me. As above, so below.”