3 Questions to Help Make New Year’s Resolutions That Matter
It’s that time of year when we review the past year and set goals for the new. Time to make New Year’s resolutions. It’s good to have a new beginning that nudges us to pause and consider where we are and where we want to be.
Most resolutions deal with better health by focusing on eating healthier, exercising, or stopping smoking or drinking. Other popular ones deal with improving relationships, education, or finances.
This year, every time I think about making resolutions, some of Jesus’ words come to mind. I think of:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. . . . (and) You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).
Also, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. (Matt. 6:33).
Gaining better disciplines for the good of my health are important. However, the significance of them fades when compared to obedience in loving the Lord, loving my neighbor, and seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
And yet, I don’t remember ever seeing a list of popular resolutions that includes improving our relationship with God or seeking His kingdom or righteousness. Why don’t we make resolutions about spiritual things?
If we don’t purpose to put the Lord first in our lives, He won’t be. Like earthly relationships, if we don’t invest in our relationship with God, it will suffer.
On the other hand, if we put Him first, we will experience His grace, and He will help us with the other issues that need help.
Therefore, as we consider resolutions this year, we need to be sure they pass muster. Some questions will help us be sure our goals line up with God’s.
1. Will this help me love the Lord more?
Will it help me hear His voice, know Him better, or trust Him more? Will it help me spend more time with Him—or enrich the quality of our time together?
2. Will this commitment help build the kingdom of God or help me be more integrated into His kingdom?
Will it increase my commitment to the Lord or help me obey Him more? Will it help me be a better witness or testimony of His goodness?
3. Will it help me love my neighbors more?
Will it help me humble myself, receive others as they are, love unconditionally, lay my life down for someone else? Will it build relationships with those who are close to me? With those that God brings across my path? With those who don’t know the Lord, but need to know His love?
And so forth.
Many practical things—such as changes to improve health—could be answered affirmatively for some of the questions. Our list of resolutions may not change.
However, prayerfully answering the questions will change the focus of the resolution. It will then be made as a commitment to the Lord in order to accomplish His purposes—and I hope that is what we ultimately want in life.
It’s time to look back and plan forward as to where we want to be. As we make our resolutions, we need to keep in mind what our ultimate goals are. If the Lord is not part of the equation when we make our resolutions, will they really matter?
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? What criteria do you consider as you make them?
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