Have A Provoking New Year

By: Matthew Statler

As the Christmas season fades and a new year begins, many of us find ourselves grappling with how to approach the coming months. Some make ambitious resolutions, map out productivity routines, or start new habits. Others simply turn the page, hoping not to be disappointed again. Wherever you land on this spectrum, you might also be thinking about your spiritual life—whether you call it a “fitness plan” or something like what we at Mighty Oaks refer to as the “4 B’s”:

• Be in the Word
• Be in Prayer
• Be in Church
• Be in Contact with Your Corner Man (your accountability partner)

But here’s the real question: Why? Why should we focus on these things?

The Apostle Peter provides a compelling answer that has the power to shape your entire year:

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:7-11, ESV)

Peter reminds us that life is fleeting and time is short. Every new year should be a stark reminder of this reality. The brevity of life isn’t meant to paralyze us, though—it’s meant to provoke us to action. Specifically, Peter calls us to focus on prayer, love, and service as our response to the times we live in.

Be Diligent in Prayer

Peter’s reasoning is striking: “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”

Why prayer? Why not evangelism or other outward actions? Because prayer is our lifeline. It connects us to God and aligns us with His will. As Martin Luther famously said, “I am so busy now that if I did not spend two or three hours each day in prayer, I would not get through the day.”

To pray effectively, Peter gives us two prerequisites:

• Self-Control: This means mastering our impulses and desires, aligning our actions with God’s greater purpose. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that empowers us to live holy lives.
• Sober-Mindedness: Not just avoiding drunkenness, but also resisting anything—be it emotions, distractions, or cultural trends—that clouds our judgment or distorts reality.

Why does this matter? Because a lack of self-control and sober-mindedness threatens our prayers. Prayer isn’t just something we do—it’s something we organize our lives around.

Be Earnest in Love

Peter continues: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

This command is more than a general encouragement—it’s a directive to prioritize love within the household of faith. Why? Because love, when practiced earnestly, creates an environment where sins and offenses are more readily overlooked.

Think about relationships. When love is absent, every minor offense feels monumental. But when love is present, it softens our hearts and helps us interpret actions charitably.

Peter also connects love to hospitality: “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” In Peter’s day, hospitality was essential for the spread of the gospel. Today, it’s just as critical, though often neglected. True hospitality requires effort, selflessness, and a willingness to serve joyfully—even when it’s inconvenient.

Be Faithful in Service

Peter writes: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

Every believer has been given spiritual gifts, and Peter categorizes them into two main types

1. Speaking: Teaching, preaching, counseling, and any other verbal gifts must reflect God’s Word. This isn’t about sharing opinions or personal philosophies—it’s about faithfully declaring the truth of Scripture.
2. Serving: These gifts involve tangible actions, and Peter emphasizes that they must be done “by the strength that God supplies.”

The reason we serve isn’t to prove our worth or fulfill a checklist—it’s to bring glory to God. Peter reminds us: “In everything, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” When we pray, love, and serve, we’re magnifying God’s worth and glory—and in doing so, we find our deepest joy.

Why This Matters

Peter’s focus on God’s glory is transformative. Your purpose and joy are tied to God’s glory. The more you live for His glory, the more joy you will experience. As believers, our victories are bound up in God’s victories, just like a soldier’s triumph reflects on their unit.

When we focus on God’s glory, it eliminates the burden of legalism. We don’t pray, love, and serve because we have to—we do it because we get to. It’s a privilege that leads to our greatest satisfaction.

Make This Year Count

This New Year, let the brevity of life and the nearness of the end provoke you to action:

• Pray diligently, organizing your life around your connection to God.
• Love earnestly, making hospitality and forgiveness a regular practice.
• Serve faithfully, relying on God’s strength and using your gifts for His glory.

The distractions of this world are fleeting, but the joy found in living for God’s glory is eternal. So, as you step into this new year, remember: the end is near, and time is short. Maximize your joy by magnifying God with your life.

This year, let your life be a bold testimony to the greatness of Christ—and experience the fullness of joy that comes with living for His glory.