HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

I can hardly believe that another year has come and gone already.  Time does march on quickly. Did you make a list of things to do this year (2016) and have you been successful in completing them?  How about this next year that’s about to begin; have you created your New Year’s Resolution, as most people call it.  I prefer to call it a commitment list?

The dictionary defines the word resolution as the action of solving; firmness, and   determination or intent.  Commitment is defined as to carry into action.  See the difference.  Both have purpose and a goal, perhaps even a plan for that goal; but the commitment follows through with the plan of action to complete the tasks.  I hope that makes sense; it did in my mind.  Hah!  You might be wondering why I making such a difference between these two. It come from the fact that when I look back over my life, and not just this past year but others too, I can see where I had a desire to accomplish a certain task but failed to accomplish it because I didn’t stay with the plan.  I allowed myself to get distracted or discouraged.

As I search my heart there have been several reasons; some repeat themselves each year and then other times new reasons or excuses come to the surface.  In any of those times, I can see that I lacked quality decisions to schedule my time to make a plan and to work the plan to have success.  My bad!  It’s just not enough to have a desire or to even add a plan to that desire.  We must be committed to put action to the plan to reach our goal.

Most of us want to make good and positive changes in our lives.  However, we must also realize that just because we have a good desire to do something doesn’t mean that’s what we are called to do; or at least maybe not at this season in our life.  This is important to understand so we don’t frustrate ourselves with too many plans and trying to reach the goal of too many desires at the same time that just maybe we are not meant to accomplish all at once.  We must learn to prioritize our thinking and our actions.  Our thinking first because that’s where everything begins – in our thought life, and the only way to keep our thoughts in good condition is to renew our mind to the Word of God (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:23).  Once we get our mind thinking in line with what God wants for our lives, then we are better able to make quality decision to carry out the plans He has for us.  Our own best plans for our life don’t compare with the glorious life He has planned for us, so let’s begin this New Year with a commitment to begin each day spending time with God our Father and Jesus our Savior.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart; and lean not to our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct our paths.  We will then see clearly what tasks we are to really put on the list to accomplish this coming New Year and since God Himself is directing our paths, He will give us the plans and the strength to accomplish those goals.

As we complete the tasks and accomplish our goals, two great things happens; first and foremost God gets the glory for all we are able to do, and we have a confidence in our heart that we have not only heard the voice of God but have done what the Lord has asked us to do.  A win, win situation; we win because we’re able to mark items off the Commitment/Resolution List, and better yet, we are glorifying God with our life.  Praise the Lord!

Have a wonderfully happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in 2017.