Friday, January 5, 2024
Resolutions - 2024 - by Kay Crumley
We often think about New Year’s Resolutions as being something we should do. But what is a resolution? Cambridge Dictionary defines a resolution as “a promise to yourself to do or not do something.” New Year’s resolutions fall into that definition. We promise to modify our diet, change our level of physical activity, learn a new skill or hobby, save money, or spend more time with family. Those are all good things to implement. These are good things to work toward but they all concern our relationship with physical things. As Christians we should set goals, resolutions, that include our spiritual health and growth. 1 Timothy 4:8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Then, we should make resolutions that are not just for this life but for the life we are living as children of God.
Another common weakness of most New Year’s Resolutions is they are short lived. We have good intentions and for the first few weeks we may practice those changes. Few of us are still living those changes even by the end of winter, much less by the following December. What happens to those plans and why are we so fickle as to give up on them so quickly? The answer may be found in the answer to the question, “what is our motivation for setting this resolution?” Are the plans for change to honor God and to grow spiritually or to honor selfish desires? When we have our focus on Him with His purpose for our lives, we can see success. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. and John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Once we have our motivation for change centered on Him, we can be confident that He will enable us to achieve that goal. We must identify the steps necessary to accomplish each goal. Record those steps and check them off as we move toward the ultimate goal.
Got Questions.org provides these suggestions for setting Christ pleasing resolutions.
1. Pray to the Lord for wisdom regarding what resolutions, if any, He would have you make. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
2. Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you.
3. Rely on God’s strength to help you.
4. Find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you.
5. Don’t become discouraged by occasional failures; instead, allow them to motivate you further.
6. Don’t become proud of vain but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
We all need to grow. When things grow, they change. Resolutions are goals to make changes that will improve our lives. As believers, we are His new creations in Christ and all things are new, 2 Corinthians 5:17. That is not a one-time event, but we are to be continually renewing our minds to know His will for our lives, Romans 12:2. We must seek His wisdom to know what change is needed in our lives to carry out His will. We are to bring glory and honor to Him as we further His kingdom purpose. He has a purpose for each believer. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. We can only know His plan for our lives as we grow closer to Him through pray and Bible study. He will reveal that plan as we mature in Him.
To summarize; pray for wisdom, trust His strength, seek a believer to be an accountability partner, don’t be discouraged, and give Him the glory. This will lead to effective, lasting resolutions to grow a healthy spiritual life.
