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This year, it’s all about the insides

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For the first post of the new year, may I suggest an old truth?

What goes in, will — given enough time — eventually come out.

We hate that truth because we want to believe that we’re smarter than that.

We’re more educated.

More careful.

More aware.

And yet, time and time again, the words that Jesus spoke are proven true in our lives.

The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭34)

Notice the reference? It’s 12:34, which is a time that I saw almost every single day for over a year. God is ALL ABOUT getting things in order, and that starts by changing what’s IN us more than what’s happening AROUND us.

Most of us have already set goals and resolutions for 2024, but could I recommend one more? You don’t have to commit to it for the whole year, although you may stick with it when you see the results! What would happen if you took the month of January and simply changed the inputs?

If you listened to music that fed your soul more than your anxiety?

If you watched content that filled you with peace more than panic?

If you read a book — even for a few minutes a day — that helped you change your insides more than just reorganizing your outsides?

Need some help figuring out what to read? I made a video recommending the four books that, I believe, could make the biggest impact on your life. Hint: they ALL deal with the insides!

Here’s why that matters.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (3 John‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬, emphasis mine)

The outside prospers as the inside prospers.

So do the things that prosper your insides, and you’ll find yourself dealing with the outsides better than you ever thought you could.

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January 2, 2024by Paul Jenkins
Written by Paul Jenkins
Paul Jenkins is lead pastor of The Gathering, a community church located in beautiful downtown Albemarle, North Carolina. He's the author of God is My Air Traffic Controller and My Name's Not Lou. Paul is passionate about his wife, his 3 children, running, reading, coaching, leading people who are following Jesus, Swedish Fish and the Carolina Panthers.