Looking back with a repentant spirit is not enough… Repentance is an active progressive and decisive process. The apostle Paul usess the imagery of a race in an athletics competition. Frustratingly, we all have made resolutions that we failed to keep. I believe that a thoughtful, planned assessment might be more helpful than just a reaction on a whim. Donald Whitney writes extensively on spiritual disciplines and here are some of the questions he would suggest to be helpful at the beginning of a New Year or at the time of your birthday.

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

What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

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

In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?

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

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