Josiah Road

Resolution

posted by Ashley Davis 19Jan

Last New Year’s I preached a mini sermon about the evils of New Year’s resolutions. I’ve just been burned one too many times by my self will or should I say my lack there of. Like the Apostle Paul, it seems “…the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want” (Romans 7:19).
Now, while I’m not a fan of resolutions, I think the new year provides a natural time for reflection. So, in keeping with the spirit of New Year’s, I’d like to share three of my favorite resolution alternatives.

1. Identify a verse of scripture that captures God’s vision for you in the coming year. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.” Find a way to display your chosen verse in your home. Meditate on it often. Allow this verse to clarify how you use your time and invest your resources.
2. Preserve your spiritual heritage. Take time to reflect on the previous year. What scriptures were important to you in 2008? What spiritual milestones did you reach? Remembering God’s past work is a powerful motivator for present day faithfulness. In Joshua chapter 4, God commanded Joshua to have the children of Israel take twelve stones from the Jordan and set them up as a memorial. These stones were to commemorate when God parted the Jordan and allowed His people to cross on dry land. This memorial was later to be a discussion piece in the community, prompting questions from the younger generations and testimonies from the older generations about God’s faithfulness. Take some time to record your own standing stones from 2008.
3. Write a personal mission statement. Several years ago, I outlined four purpose statements for my life:
   • To prioritize and cultivate authentic relationship with God • To engage in meaningful relationship with others • To seek opportunities to learn, grow, and develop • To exercise faithful stewardship over what God has entrusted Now, each year I use these priorities as a plumb line to evaluate the past year and set goals for the coming year.

God is purposeful, and I believe He calls His people to live thoughtful lives. He has good plans for us, but, I don’t believe we reach our God given potential haphazardly. By God’s grace, may we be people of vision, reflection, and purpose in this new year!

Has the new year prompted reflection for you? What “resolution alternatives” have you found to be meaningful in your spiritual journey?

1. Idea suggested by Dr. Jimmy Hester.