New Year’s Eve is an interesting holiday differing from others because it does not commemorate an event, like Easter or a person like Christmas. New Years is a holiday that celebrates the inevitability of the passing of time. We make New Years special only by being reflective of the year that has passed and proactive about what we want to achieve in the future. Each year many of us will go through a physical check-up, a performance review at our workplace, perhaps do a financial check-up at year’s end or at tax time. But how often do we take time to review our spiritual life?

For years as the pastor of a growing congregation I would take time at the end of each year to be quiet and asked God to bring to my mind the significant things He wanted to teach me about the last year. I would also ask God to impart to me what changes He wanted to make in me in the coming year. Then I would I invite the people of the church I led to do the same and join me in an exercise I called a Spiritual Check-up.

In the early days of the church I would schedule sit down appointments with nearly every person in the congregation and personally go through the Check Up with them. When to the church grew to beyond my capacity to conduct the Check Up personally, I would entrust the small group leaders to administer it to their groups.       

Here is an example of what a Spiritual Check Up can look like.

SPIRITUAL CHECK–UP 2019

• (questions to ask yourself to help you lead a healthy, purposeful life)

1.What was my scripture verse of the year for 2018?

If you chose one last year recall it, reconnect with it, and remember why you chose it.   

2. Through what difficulties last year did God try to teach me to rely on Him?

Remember the specific difficult times you went through and look back to see how God was with you in the midst of them.

3. Am I growing Spiritual fruit by spending time each day in God’s word and prayer? What is it that I continually struggle with?  Which fruit needs my special attention to grow in the coming year?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23    

4. Am I connecting with others and using the gifts and abilities God gave me by serving and sharing my faith with others? 

Ask yourself where in the church can I serve and who outside of the church can I reach out to and share my faith?   

5. What is God putting on my heart to be my scripture verse of the year for 2019?

Take time this week to turn off your T.V /computer, open up God’s word and ask Him to lead you to a verse that will help to lead you in the coming year.

Revisit this exercise each day this week and prepare for what God wants to do in you and through you in 2019.

A spiritual check up is similar to a physical check up a doctor would give you and then write a prescription on acquiring good spiritual habits.

Below are some HABITS a spiritually healthy person might do with regularity.  

What Spiritual H.A.B.I.T.S. would you most like to establish this year?

H. Have a Daily Quiet Time with God praying and reading the Bible.    

A. Avail yourself regularly to be accountable with another believer.  

B. Bible memorization of a variety of passages.

I. Involve yourself in service on a ministry team based upon your gifts.

T. Tithing (giving 10% of your income to your church)

S. Study the Bible and fellowship regularly in a Small Group and sharing of your faith with a friend or co-worker.

Here’s hoping that God will guide you and your congregation to become in 2019, the healthiest it has ever been.