“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” — Psalm 139:14, King James Version.

Welcome to 2016, a new year for declarations, promises and potential. Historically, January is treated as a launching point to set the tone for the rest of the year.

We focus on our health, on our finances and on our families. It seems like everyone wants to be better, and some take it to the extreme. But what is too extreme for God?

As children of the most high God, we have the privilege and benefit of knowing that God, according to Ephesians 3:20, can do, “…exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

So it doesn’t matter how extreme or how big we decide to launch into the new year, our God is able to do that and so much more. But this is according to the power that works in us, which is the power of an almighty God. It’s hard to be depressed, defeated, confused, misguided or ignorant when you walk in the power of God.

So many times, we make resolutions based on who we think we are or who we desire to be. But I encourage you to make a conscious decision to be who God says you are. He doesn’t look at our outer appearance, our bank statement or our social status. God looks at our heart.

He tells us what he thinks of us in 1 Peter 2:9,“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

The world looks at us as being strange, out of place, weird, but we’re just being what God says we are. Holy, chosen, royal folks shouldn’t blend in with the crowd. I am who God says I am.

We’ve been down this road before, trying to do things to line up with society. Let this be the year that we focus on being what God called us to be.

Some of us have big visions and callings on our lives, yet we focus on the minor when we’ve been called to do the mighty. There is no greater joy than knowing that you’re walking in and actually doing the will of God.

So, let’s get this new year started. Tell your neighbor, “I am who God says I am.”

Hayes, is pastor of New Day Community Church and president of the United Ministerial Alliance.