Day 1 – New Year’s Resolution

New Year’s Resolution

Here we go again. Another year, another New Year’s resolution I never keep! Why do I even try?
*sigh
Well…I guess I could try. It never hurts to try. Six months is better than nothing, right?
Ok, three months.
One?
ALRIGHT! Two weeks! Two weeks is better than nothing. At least it’s a start! I can do anything for two weeks. Anything longer than that, I’ll have to get really serious about…and I mean SERIOUS! Like, putting-the-hammer-down-serious.
So.
What’s something I reeaaally need to accomplish this year?
Uh…for two-ish weeks?
*sigh

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:16-17

According to Forbes, statistically, only about 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s resolutions.

I guess the beginning of a new year gives people a chance to start over. New year, new start.
So, let’s lose some weight. Eat healthier. Stop smoking. Cut out caffeine. Spend less, save more. Get organized. Read more books. Travel more. Learn something new. Etc., etc., etc.

All great, wonderful things. But what happens? After about week 2, you give in to the Blue Bell. The car gets a mind of its own and pulls into Starbucks. Those books have been overdue for how long? And you’ll get to that pile on your desk next week.

I know, I know, I’ve done it too. Which is why my jeans being a little bit tighter and finding something to wear in my closet, just gets more and more depressing. We go back to doing what we’ve always done because we’re used to it. It’s comfortable. Change is too hard.

But guess what. “If you always do what you’ve always done. You’ll always get what you’ve always got”. Ever heard that before? Sounds a little bit like the definition of insanity, “Doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”

Whatever word, action, or lifestyle choice that God himself would not say, do or choose, get rid of it. Get rid of it. You don’t need it. If you know it’s going to bother you, don’t do it. If you get that feeling in your gut, that uneasiness. Let it go. Don’t go there. If you continue to sin, you will never be the person God has called you to be.

You have to make a choice.

What if you got serious?
What if we all did? Can you imagine? Think about it. Everyone accomplishing a New Year’s Resolution.
Everyone, losing weight. Everyone organized. Everyone, healthy. Everyone, spending less and saving more. Everyone, no longer smoking. Everyone, reading more books.

Everyone, running the race with endurance.
Everyone, making no excuses for sin.
Everyone, doing life in community with believers.
Everyone, living on purpose, with purpose.

What if.

Remember that definition of insanity? Don’t be insane.

Dear Father, I really want to make some changes this year. But at the same time, I don’t want to make promises I know I can’t keep. You say in Your Word that You are my strength and my stronghold. Give me the strength I need to make the changes I need so I can better serve you! Thank you for being my strength and my security. I love you Lord! Amen.