How many New Year’s resolutions have you made over the years? How many have you kept? I was talking to a lady in line at the grocery store the other day and she said that she had 10 New Year’s resolutions, but she is waiting until January 4th. I asked her why she was waiting and she said that the 4th is on a Monday and she didn’t want to ruin her weekend!
The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back to the early Babylonians. Instead of “losing weight,” their primary tradition was to return borrowed farm equipment.
I don’t think that anyone makes resolutions with the idea they are never going to achieve them. But, I do believe that sometimes we make resolutions at the beginning of the year that are not realistic.
If you have something about you that you are dissatisfied with in June, why wait until January 1st to change it? The great thing about God is that He forgives (and forgets!) every nano-second of every day. So you don’t have to wait until January, if you don’t want to, to change a bad habit or to form a new one.
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
The pessimist in me tells me not to make any New Year’s resolutions for fear I may not keep them. I really try to figure out what’s wrong with me (daily) and ask God to help me with the changes I need. Sometimes I just need to shut up and stop telling Him what His job is so I can hear what He is saying to me. He’s pretty smart!
However, there is a certain hopefulness with a new year. It is exciting to think about all the possibilities that a new year can bring to our life and our world. We can look forward to positive changes that can take place.
“…if indeed you have heard Him (Christ) and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:21-24
This passage gives me the idea that there is hope for me. I like the idea of laying aside my “old self” and the promise of being able to put on a “new self”.
Many years ago, Ann Landers wrote an article about some of her resolutions:
“1. Let this coming year be better than all the others. 2. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. ... 3. Call up a forgotten friend. 4. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. 5. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. ... 6. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look 10 years younger. 7. Don't be afraid to say, "I love you". Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.”
I could add to the list above. 8. Forgive yourself today. 9. Talk to God and ask Him to help you with the things you would like to change. 10. Open your Bible, even if it is for 10 seconds, every day.
May God grant you all a Happy New Day!
Monday, December 28, 2009
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