Every year I pick a word to focus on - something that sums up my goals for the coming months, while also being more flexible than a new year’s resolution. For 2020, I’ve chosen the word invest.

When I think of investing, my first thought is the stock market and mutual funds. But really, investing can mean so much more than just finances. We invest in our education, our future, our relationships, and pretty much every other area of our lives, whether we realize it or not.

One definition of invest that I came across while picking my word of the year is: “to devote one’s time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.” 

Looking back on 2019, I realized I devoted a lot of time and energy (and money) to things that didn’t really matter. Hours scrolling through Instagram, Netflix show after Netflix show, way too much fast food, hours sleeping in that I could’ve spent opening my Bible. These things aren’t necessarily bad. But I chose to give up things that I know are more important in favor of things that only brought me temporary comfort. 

This year, I want to invest in more important things: my physical health, my friendships, my finances, and my walk with God. Those are worth investing in because they help me grow more into the person God created me to be. I am devoting my time and energy to these areas of my life with the expectation that God will produce a worthwhile result in me and in those around me. 

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” -Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Think of it as a runner. Someone training for a marathon puts in countless hours of training. They buy the right shoes. They wake up early. They eat the right things. They run for miles months before the race starts. They invest a lot of time and energy into running. Why? Because they believe what they are sacrificing is worth the result — finishing the race. 

1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT) says, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

Are there areas of your life you need to devote more time or energy into?

Do you believe God will produce a worthwhile result in a situation that feels hopeless?

Are you willing to invest in something, instead of just hoping it works out? 

While it’s important to invest in your health, habits, and monetary resources, we must never forget that our time here on earth is temporary. But the things of God — His will (1 John 2:17), His Word (Matthew 24:35), and His kingdom (Daniel 7:14) — are eternal.

It might be that you need to commit to prayer this year. It may mean fasting. It might mean sacrificing your time to lead a Bible Study or to meet with someone who needs encouragement once a week. No matter what it is, spiritually investing in ourselves and in others is worth more than any reward we will get this side of Heaven. 

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Investing doesn’t mean you see the results overnight. It takes time for investments to grow. You plant the seed, believing it will produce a crop later. But it takes months of watering before you see the fruits of your labor. So keep going — even when it feels pointless, even when you’ve prayed for that family member every day and they still haven’t come to Christ, even when you are tired and wondering if what you’re doing has any impact at all — keep planting the seed. God will honor your investments. 

Here are some words of encouragement from Galatians 6:9 (NLT): “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

This year, let’s choose to invest, not just in the healthy habits (though they matter too), but also in the things that live on far past 2020. 

Who or what do you need to invest in this year? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Abbie is a native Mississippian who now calls Nashville, TN home. She works as a writer for Ramsey Solutions and enjoys reading, traveling, laughing, and playing with her corgi, Eudora, in her spare time. You can find more of her writing at abbiewalker.com.