New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work For Me.

New Year’s Resolutions don’t work for me. I have made many, many, New Year’s resolutions in the past, just like you all probably have.  I made all the usual promises like, “I am gonna quit smoking.  I am gonna be a better Christian. I am gonna volunteer at a homeless shelter. Go to the gym, get in shape, eat healthier. Eat less junk food. Be a better dad….husband…son…whatever.”

Not once did I follow through on a “New Year’s” resolution.  By February 1st all my resolutions were forgotten.

Why is that?

Well, I think the reason is that we cannot simply change ourselves based on one moment of commitment.  It takes a daily recommitting and an understanding that we are weak, painfully weak.  For instance, when I  smoked my last cigarette on that September day some 4 years ago, I did not simply say, “I am done for my life.”  There is no way that would have worked. I had to make a daily commitment.  It took discipline.  Everyday I would wake up and ask the Lord to remove this addiction from me and for the strength to get through that day.  At the end of the day I thanked Him for his faithfulness.  I also had others I could rely on when I had a moment of weakness and really wanted that cigarette. Over 4 years later I am still thanking him for releasing me from that addiction.

The same is true of any addiction.  Ask any addict attending a 12 step recovery group – one moment of resolve is not gonna overcome the addiction. It may help get you on track, but only a daily committing to God and trusting in his strength is going to work.

The same is true of having daily devotions.

The same is true of losing weight.

The same is true of being a better husband or dad or Christian.

I am not saying don’t make resolutions, just be realistic about it. Read my actual New Year’s Resolution here.

This morning I read Jonathon Edwards Resolutions.  Wow. He wrote them around the age of 17 – 18…I think I was reading Archie comics and playing Mario Kart on my SNES at 17…

Here are a couple of the resolutions Edwards wrote that I would like to resolve as well. These put our “lose weights” and “be more actives” to shame.

1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

6. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.

You can read all 70 resolutions here.

 

Have a blessed 2014!