5 Things We Need in 2023
2023 is the year most have entered entered into with caution. I mean, who could blame you after the last couple of years? It feels like we’ve collectively been put through the wringer.
But me? Well, 2023 is the year I’m entering into with wide-eyed optimism, with hope, with expectation. I’m not saying, “2023 is going to be my year!” But I am expectant at what God has in store.
Generally, I’m pretty indifferent when it comes to the new year. Sure I have my “one little word” of focus. I have some new thoughts, new goals, new plans… but mostly, I’m just rolling into the next day. The rest of the world seems to be the ones who are expectant. The roles this year, though, seem to be reversed.
Honestly, I was hoping to join the majority this year, but I’ve come to the realization that our souls are weary. They’re more burdened than ever before. They’re aching, crying out for relief, for help. And something’s got to give if we’re going to survive in 2023. If we play our cards right, we might even be able to thrive.
I submit to you, there are 5 things our souls are yearning for as we enter 2023.
Connection
One of our deepest desires is to be known and loved.
Even though we are currently living in the most connected generation due to social media, the Internet, FaceTime, Zoom calls, and the like, we are simultaneously living in the most lonely generation. The majority of our friends live in our screens and there is no real connection, and our souls crave it. We know we were created for community.
We long to be connected both to God and to people. God Himself exists in community, and we, as His creation, are a reflection of that. We need Him, but we also need others. Scripture details that connection with others is a gift from God serving to encourage us, to hold us accountable, to help each other, and to make each other better as we point each other to Christ.
Boundaries
While “boundaries” seems to be a bit of a buzz word these days, there’s a reason for it. We cannot be expected to constantly be on call for everyone; we cannot be expected to do one million things at 100%. It’s unrealistic, and it’s not healthy. Our job is not to please people. Our job is to be obedient to God and what He is asking of us.
Sometimes, that means saying “no.” Sometimes, that means disappointing people as a result. But let us not use this as a cop-out. Let us not turn to boundaries for things we simply don’t want to do. Let us set boundaries wisely that they may serve their purpose well.
Boundaries are set up to protect ourselves and others that we might steward the gifts that God has given us in a way that glorifies Him best. This means our desire to people-please has to die.
Truth
There is a lot of information floating around the world today - and misinformation. Many things are taken out of context and twisted. Lies are abundant. Everyone is claiming some sort of “truth” when there is no actual merit to it. This is nothing new, but because we have instant access to information, news, and opinions of almost all people, truth seems harder than ever to find.
It is a non-negotiable to root ourselves in truth. If we do not, Satan will use that to his advantage to kill our souls, destroy our hope, and steal any thought we have at joy. That’s his mission.
And while I won’t get on my soapbox today, there is no such thing as “my truth” or “your truth.” There is THE truth. It is absolute. That’s God’s Word, and it is what I’m standing on to make it through each moment of each day.
Hope
The past few years have seemed dark as one catastrophe after another is broadcast. Every day feels like Doomsday. There’s a feel-good story every now and then, but it doesn’t seem to last long as the news cycle moves at break-neck speed. Our souls are starving for hope. For something that can carry us through the darkest of nights. We need to know that what we see right in front of us isn’t all there is. It’s not the end of the story.
That hope is found in the resurrected Christ. He is alive, and He is coming back for us.
With that knowledge, I can be assured that one day, all things will be made right. I can be assured that all the pain, the suffering, the loss, the loneliness, the hurt will no longer be because Christ defeated death.
Rest
Since we were locked in our homes for 6 months and the world stopped, we’ve returned to our normal over-scheduled ways. It appears as though we learned nothing. We don’t know how to actually rest.
We know how to mindlessly scroll, have the tv playing in the background, veg out with some snacks and a good show, but we don’t know what it truly means to rest, to Sabbath.
It’s time we intentionally unplug for a couple hours a day, turn our phones off before bed, set aside a day that we do nothing except truly rest. Let our minds reset, let our hearts pause, and stop rushing around. It takes practice and intentionally, but it is worth it because rest impacts everything else: our connections, boundaries, our ability to know and root ourselves in truth, our hopeful outlook…
While we enter into 2023 more cautiously than years past, let’s not forget to meet the needs for which our souls are crying out for. This will refuel the great expectations we have for the year, even if they are slow to come.