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How Are YOUR New Year’s Resolutions Going?

Philippians 3:12-15 – Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

Each year, countless people make a resolution to lose weight, stop smoking, enjoy life more, or put more money in the bank.

And each year, countless people forget those resolutions by the end of February.

Why? The resolution is the first step.

But the next step is what everyone always gets wrong. We shouldn’t make a resolution to lose weight and then sign up at a gym. We should make a resolution to lose weight and then begin formulating a plan to do it. Then, after the plan is created, get that gym membership.

So many people jump right into the gym membership without even thinking about whether they have enough time in their day to do it or if they are physically healthy enough to work out.

It is the same with every other resolution out there.

We neglect to plan.

Proverbs 21:5 – The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

This year, my resolution was to try to get to bed before midnight every night and wake up an hour earlier every day.

With everything I am trying to accomplish lately, I find myself sending mission emails at 2AM or writing my young adult sermons at 1 in the morning. And then there is blogging. And, oh yea, I forgot that I own a recruiting company.

You see, I wanted to make my resolution something along the lines of “gain more hours in the day” or something stupid like that. Something I knew was impossible so I didn’t have to work at it. But, alas, that does not lead to growth.

So at the end of 2014, I made my plan.

By 11pm the computer would get shut down and I will take melatonin. By 11:30, the TV and/or Xbox will be shut down (midnight on weekends when I have the kids), By 11:45 I would be in my room doing a nightly devotional and in prayer. By midnight, be crawling into bed.

So how is my resolution going?

Better than expected.

While I have had a couple nights that I went to bed at 2 AM, I am finding that I have been getting to bed earlier. And when I get to bed earlier, I am able to spend better quiet time with God.

The problem I have run into?

My quiet time with God is cherished to me. I want to just sit and read the Bible or about the Word of God or in prayer and not fall asleep.

So while I have been getting to bed earlier, I have spent a lot more time awake, lying in bed, speaking with God.

Kind of self-defeating.

But worth it.

So how are your resolutions going?

Luke 14:28 – For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?