Resolutions Or Significant Milestones?

My husband and I had some wonderful and memorable moments during the holidays. We were privileged to attend a number of parties and have some great times together with family, old and new friends and neighbors! I also got to go carolling with a group from church on one of the nights in December as well, what a blast!

On New Year’s Eve we had a number of people at our place after a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant. While chatting we talked about resolutions and a few of them said they decided not to make resolutions anymore because they were quite positive that they would not be able to follow through on them. As we all know many resolutions are not kept throughout the year. The strong thoughts that came out of that conversation were that if we are going to try to make changes that there would be a firm decision to tackle it, but more so that there would be action to make a conscience effort.

I started to think about this and the reason for why it’s hard to keep resolutions. Have you ever asked yourself why you found it so hard to keep the resolutions you try to make? Well, there’s a good chance that most of us may have not made a realistic resolution and it was just too big of a commitment. Also is there a possibility that we can tackle these promises ourselves with our own human effort? Some of us may have the tenacity and hard core determination to do this and we love a good challenge. However, are we strong enough? I believe that while we are trying to do what is right we have temptations that come along and it’s hard to stick to what we have resolved to do, we become weak and our focus changes. When it has to do with decisions on right and wrong we need strength to help us through the struggles of quitting or going down the same path but it often becomes uncomfortable and we give up. We need someone stronger than ourselves.

I can testify to resolutions not working for me in the past and so here is a little twist on this, rather look at in a different perspective. If we would think of building significant milestones we would work on goals or events that focus on marking a change. However, we are spiritually and morally weak, and we will never be the people God wants us to be unless we turn to Him for the help we need. The psalmist wrote, "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:2). With God’s help we can have the strength to change and become the person that God would want us to be.

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord” (Lamentations 3:40)

As we begin this New Year, ask God to show you what He wants to do in your life during this coming year. Decide to grow closer to Christ every day and with the help of His Holy Spirit to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11). As you begin to grow in these things you will be building significant milestones!

Wishing you a very Happy and blessed New Year!