New Year, New You: Resolutions for Adult Learners
As we step into a new year, we are greeted with the familiar calls for fresh starts and personal transformations. The mantra "New Year, New You" echoes through our communities, urging individuals to set resolutions that promise self-improvement and growth. This time-honored tradition of goal setting resonates deeply with many, offering a beacon of hope and renewal. However, this moment of introspection is more than just an opportunity for personal change — it’s a divine invitation to discover and embrace God’s calling for our lives.
In my role as Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing, and Student Success at Colorado Christian University, I have the privilege of working closely with a diverse group of students, including over 8,000 non-traditional adult learners who pursue their education online. These learners are often balancing complex lives, juggling careers, family responsibilities and personal ambitions. For them, the new year represents a chance for a personal makeover and a profound opportunity to align their lives more closely with God’s purpose.
In "Courage and Calling," Gordon T. Smith eloquently explores the intersection of personal vocation and divine calling. He writes, “Our calling is not simply about what we do; it is about who we are becoming. It is about living into the fullness of who God has created us to be, within the context of our unique gifts and circumstances.”
Transformative Lens for New Year’s Resolutions
This perspective offers a lens through which to view New Year’s resolutions, especially for those embarking on the journey of higher education later in life. Returning to school can be daunting yet exhilarating for adult learners pursuing completion of their undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degrees. It represents a commitment to personal growth and professional advancement but also reflects a deeper quest for meaning and purpose.
Consider the biblical concept of “calling,” as emphasized in 1 Peter 4:10, which states that each of us should use whatever gift we have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace. This perspective shifts our resolutions from mere self-improvement to avenues for serving God and others. Embracing this academic journey with a sense of divine calling can elevate it from a mere educational endeavor to a sincere spiritual quest.
As you set your goals for the year ahead, ask yourself not only what you wish to achieve but also how these goals align with God’s calling for your life. Reflect on Smith’s assertion that our vocation reflects how God has shaped us to serve others. Whether your resolution involves completing a degree, gaining new skills, or advancing your career, consider how these aspirations can serve others and fulfill a higher purpose.
Online education offers a unique avenue for adult learners to integrate their academic pursuits with their spiritual growth. The flexibility of online programs allows for balancing personal, professional, and academic responsibilities, creating space for reflection and spiritual development. This adaptability enables learners to tailor their educational experiences in a way that aligns with their calling and contributes meaningfully to their communities.
Resolutions Through the Lens of God’s Calling
As you embark on your New Year’s resolutions, I encourage you to view them through the lens of God’s calling. Seek to understand how your educational and professional goals can harmonize with your spiritual journey. In Jeremiah 29:11, we find assurance that God has plans for us — a promise of hope and a future. Let this promise guide your resolutions, allowing them to reflect your trust in God’s purpose for your life.
When resolutions are framed within this context, they become acts of faith. For adult learners, this might mean asking tough questions: What is God calling me to learn? How can my education serve others and bring glory to Him? This alignment with His purpose can transform the often mundane process of education into a vibrant journey of discovery, equipping you not just for personal success, but for impactful service in the world.
As an adult graduate of a Christian university, I can personally attest that many of these institutions are committed to supporting students in this journey—providing resources and guidance that cater to their educational needs and spiritual growth. There are Christian universities that understand an education is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a holistic process of growth that involves mind, body, and spirit.
Pursuing Goals with Divine Purpose
By pursuing your goals with a sense of divine purpose, you can experience a richer, more fulfilling path that resonates deeply with your faith and personal aspirations. When we approach our resolutions with a heart attuned to God’s voice, we open ourselves to unexpected blessings and opportunities for growth. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us to commit our work to the Lord, and our plans will be established.
In practical terms, this means actively seeking ways to incorporate prayer, reflection, and community support into your educational journey. Consider joining study groups or engaging with mentors who share your faith and values. Create a vision board that incorporates not only your academic goals but also scripture and reminders of your divine calling.
As we welcome this new year, let us embrace the opportunity to grow not only as individuals but as servants of a higher calling. Let our resolutions be more than mere aspirations — let them be steps toward discovering and living out the unique purpose God has set before us.
Each resolution can be a testament to our commitment to becoming who God created us to be, serving others with our unique gifts, and fulfilling the divine purpose that shapes our journey. May this year be one of profound transformation, alignment with God’s calling, and a renewed sense of purpose in all that we do.