resolutions

If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home, you’ll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless. You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring. Full of hope, you’ll relax, confident again; you’ll look around, sit back, and take it easy.

- Job 11:14-20 (MSG)

Happy New Year!

So tell, me, how many “resolutions have you made for 2020?

The definition of “resolution” is “a firm decision to do or not to do something”.

I googled the most common new year’s resolutions and as one usually does, I found a lot of information (love the googles!) 

One website said this:

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, hoping to spark positive change. The recurring themes each year include a more active approach to health and fitness, improved finances, and learning new things for personal and professional development. Chances are, more than a couple of the top 10 most common resolutions will look familiar to you:

1. Exercise more
2. Lose weight
3. Get organized
4. Learn a new skill or hobby 
5. Live life to the fullest
6. Save more money / spend less money
7. Quit smoking
8. Spend more time with family and friends
9. Travel more
10. Read more

The website went on to note that only 46% of people who make New Year’s resolutions are successful, and only 4% of those that don’t make resolutions are successful at achieving their goals.

I am not sure that I have ever managed to keep a New Year’s resolution, I am sure that at some point in time each of the ten above were on my list in some form.

The same site gives 10 steps to “realize your New Year’s resolution”:

1. Mentally prepare for change
2. Set a goal that motivates you
3. Limit resolutions to a manageable amount
4. Be specific
5. Break up big goals into smaller goals
6. Write down your goals
7. Share your resolutions with others
8. Automate where possible
9. Review your resolution regularly
10. If you fall off track, get back on quick

I think that some of the ten steps can be applied to our walk with God, especially numbers one, seven and ten.

When you begin your walk, you have to prepare for change because He will change you!!

When you share your story with others, you encourage them to share with you, we learn from one another and we grow in our relationships, both with God and with others when we share where we are and how we got there.

Just like a bicycle or a horse, if you fall off, get back on.

Starting a journey isn’t easy, and there will be set backs.

You don’t just wake up, decide to follow God and suddenly your whole world is rainbows and roses, it takes time.

I challenge you to make two resolutions this year –to know God better, and to share your relationship with Him.