It’s that time of the year when you and I hear the following question... “Have you made any New Year’s resolutions?”
Most of us when we hear that question just smile, we may even laugh a bit because we know how resolutions usually go. There are things in our lives that we would like to do something about, we’d like to set some practice, some habit aside once and for all.
Most people’s resolutions tend to fall in the category of health and fitness, followed by deciding to clear up some clutter and finally getting organized. A recent CTV poll discovered that 85 per cent of people polled do not bother with New Year’s resolutions, and that leaves 15 pr cent of us who will give it our best effort to do something new that we hope will improve our lives. I think if we were honest with ourselves, we’d like to think that we would like to do something to make our lives better. But the problem is, as this CTV poll goes on to point out, is that only eight per cent of resolutions that are made are actually achieved.
So what do we do? Do we stop making any plans at all? No. We need to plan. The problem is we tends to not include God in our planning. Whether we’re afraid of what He might suggest or what He might do, we just don’t invite Him to participate in our planning process. We need to remember that God is good and His plans for us are always good even when we do not fully understand them. In fact, right now, right where you are God wants to help you take some positive steps forward in 2014. Ask Him to give you a plan, two or three steps you can take today. Those steps may be to seek counsel from someone who is facing a similar challenge as you are. Ask a friend to pray with you. Look for resources that might help. Reach out to a support group. And then trust God to do what you can’t. Do what God tells you to do and do what you can. And in this whole process remembering that God is for us, He is for you. You may feel all alone as you step into this new year, but you’re not, when you remember that God is there. He is for you. Why? Because you matter to God. Not just in the big stuff but also in the small things. If they matter to you, they matter to God!
You may ask, “What will happen if I include God in my planning for 2014?” First, you will experience His peace. But you will also experience a joy that outcomes cannot quench. He is a peace that circumstances cannot steal. You will experience a year that will be different. Now what God is offering you is not a gimmick, it’s more than an attitude change. Rather, He wants to give you a new life. And that I think is what we all want, don’t you think?
This column is submitted by Tri-Community Baptist Church in Beiseker.
