I saw a recent article that listed the five most popular resolutions made almost every year. The 5th was to take up a new hobby, the 4th was to make more money, the 3rd most popular resolution was to improve relationships, the 2nd was to stop smoking, and the most popular New Year’s resolution, you guessed it, losing weight.
A woman walked into her bathroom. As she did, she saw her husband weighing himself on the bathroom scales, sucking in his stomach. The woman thought to herself, “He thinks that he will weigh less by sucking in his stomach.” So, the woman rather sarcastically said to her husband, “That’s not going to help.” Her husband said, “Sure it will. It’s the only way I can see the numbers.”
Often this time of year, after the overindulgence of the holidays, we make resolutions to change our habits and our way of life. A new year gives us an opportunity to start fresh and better ourselves. But by the middle of January we somehow forget our resolutions and go back to our old ways.
The truth is we need to make New Year’s resolutions many times each year. Evaluating where we are spiritually and doing something about it should not be just a once a year thing. I mean, really, don’t you need to check your spiritual pulse more than once a year? I do! So don’t feel bad about having to make resolutions. Having to readjust your life should be a regular thing. When an airplane sets its automatic pilot to fly to a certain destination, it readjusts many times each minute. The wind, the temperature, people moving around on the plane, they all affect its direction. So “resolutions” are needed.
Let me suggest two resolutions that will bring a great return in your life. The return you will receive is promised by God Himself.
New Year’s Resolution 1- Love God
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Before you resolve to lose weight, work less, exercise more, resolve to practice loving God by honoring Him with worship and service, (this can not be done in front of TV.) Get in a good church and begin to worship Him.
New Year’s Resolution 2- Love Others
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 (NIV)
Jesus said the second greatest commandment is for you to love others. Resolve this year that you will say no to yourself about time, money, and effort and use those same things to serve and help others.
Simple, right? Yes, but not necessarily easy. There is, however, a great reward for this. This lifestyle that Jesus described carries with it the provision of the Lord.
“Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’
Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:31-33(GW)
So why not resolve to love God and others this year and allow your Father in heaven to supply the things that the world is working so hard to get? It’s a good deal!