Out of all the things in life, what one thing takes up most of your thoughts?  What do you want more than anything?  What keeps you up at night?  For what do you thirst?

There are a lot of things that can take up mental space in your head.  Some dwell on wanting another job?  Some dwell on having more money.  Some dwell on hurts from their past.  Some dwell on having better health.  Some dwell on the problems they have in a relationship.  There is no single thing but many possibilities.

As we enter a new year, it is crucial to realize what claims your focus.  Whatever that thing is will be your focus in the new year – even if you know that there is something else that needs to happen.

Over and over, the Bible states that what we focus on is important.  It dictates what you do, how you see things, and where you are headed.  If your thoughts are not about what you want them to be, those thoughts need to change.  Otherwise, you will not see the change that you truly want.

Ultimately, we must dwell on God.  We must long for His presence.  We must long for a deeper relationship.  We must long for His control and wisdom in our lives.  We must long for Him.

I love how the psalmist put it in Psalm 42:1-2, 5: “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for You, God.  I thirst for God, the living God.  When can I come and appear before God?  Why, my soul, are you so dejected?  Why are you in such turmoil?  Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

Is God your focus?  Honestly?

If you realize that He is not your main focus, please realize that He can be.  Remember that Jesus came to restore what sin takes away.  Ask Him to give you a deeper longing to know Him, love Him, and live for Him.  Let Jesus become your foremost focus.  Thirst for Him.  And if you have never accepted His gift of salvation, do it today; start your New Year the right way.

Consider checking out the following resource to go deeper into this longing/thirst…