The start of a new year is a time of reflection and motivation. We reflect on the triumphs and challenges of the prior year, and we determine what we want to improve upon in the coming year. And this leads many of us to set New Year's resolutions, promises to ourselves of what we want to accomplish or do better than we did last year.
Unfortunately, the reality of most New Year's resolutions is that they ultimately fail. While one may start strong on a program to lose weight, stop smoking, or read the Bible more, within a few months the busy-ness of life catches up to us, and the commitment to stick to our resolutions becomes difficult to maintain.
The Bible provides some wise counsel on how to be successful as we take on a new endeavor:
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3)
What does "committing to the Lord" mean? It means that we prayerfully seek God's direction for what plans we should make. It means we ask the Lord the "when" and "how" of what we propose to do. It means we ask God to direct our steps, to help us overcome obstacles, to provide strength and motivation when we run out of our own power. It means we submit to God's plan for our life, and that we trust in Him to help us succeed.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5)
Most New Year's resolutions fail because we do not have the strength on our own to succeed. But when we remain in the awesome love and power of the Almighty God, we can trust that He will carry us through.
Unfortunately, the reality of most New Year's resolutions is that they ultimately fail. While one may start strong on a program to lose weight, stop smoking, or read the Bible more, within a few months the busy-ness of life catches up to us, and the commitment to stick to our resolutions becomes difficult to maintain.
The Bible provides some wise counsel on how to be successful as we take on a new endeavor:
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3)
What does "committing to the Lord" mean? It means that we prayerfully seek God's direction for what plans we should make. It means we ask the Lord the "when" and "how" of what we propose to do. It means we ask God to direct our steps, to help us overcome obstacles, to provide strength and motivation when we run out of our own power. It means we submit to God's plan for our life, and that we trust in Him to help us succeed.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5)
Most New Year's resolutions fail because we do not have the strength on our own to succeed. But when we remain in the awesome love and power of the Almighty God, we can trust that He will carry us through.
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