This is that time of the year when we revisit the past year, evaluate it and make new commitments and resolutions for the new year. For a majority of resolution makers, those resolutions fade away before February is over and for the minority, those resolutions actually live through the entire year. For some people, they have resolved to either do or not do a particular thing more times than they can remember and thus are struggling with whether to make that same resolution again this year.
While I am not biased on this matter, I do believe that resolutions can live much longer and yield better results if we do two things. First, we need to make God-centered resolutions since our lives are not quite ours to do with as we please but are controlled by the Sovereign Lord whose duty it is to direct the steps of the righteous. Second, we do not need to wait for the end of the year to make or evaluate our resolutions. One year is a long time to wait to look back on life and make the necessary amends as we seek to run the race mapped out for us by our savior and Lord.
For some time now, I have made it a daily routine to look back on my days and, weeks and months and make fresh commitments and resolutions about my life. And although I can’t say that I have done that each and every day unfailingly, I can definitely say that this attitude has afforded me more opportunities to hear God address several areas of my life and depend on Him for the courage to move on regardless. Self evaluation is a powerful tool that can propel you to heights you never imagined were attainable if you do it in the power of the Holy Spirit trusting the Lord to help you with your weaknesses and shortcomings more often than yearly.
So as this year fades into the new year, I encourage you to be reminded about the following things;
– You were made by God for God so put Him first (Col 1:16-17)
– Some of the unattained resolutions you have carried over from 2011 are not a sign that you failed but a sign that perseverance still needs to have its full effect so that you may be complete, lacking no good thing (James 1:12-4)
– Waiting on God is not pleasant at all but is a necessary discipline of the christian life that results in renewed strength (Isa. 40:27-31)
– God is more concerned about conforming you more and more into the image of His dear Son Jesus than He is about giving you what you want so make character development a top priority in your resolutions for 2012 (2 Pe. 1:3-8)
If you are not born again, then you obviously can not relate with anything I have said in this post. Your case is different and you are welcome to contact me if you sense the need to truly turn over a new leaf in your life this new year.
One last question for you, how much value have you added to the lives of others in 2011? Is it possible that your resolutions are simply selfish declarations of greed? May God multiply to you a thousand fold the value you added to the lives of others in 2011 this coming year.
Happy New Year.
Journey with Della 