“A Matter of Resolution”

It’s that time of year again ~ many of us reflect back on the backslidden promises we made to ourselves at the top of the year and vow to do better. We have aspirations to accomplish great things, or perhaps simply improve on existing things and so we set goals to hit our intended target.

For many of us, the same list resurfaces with a few minor edits. Why? Because we struggle with commitment and discipline. Could it be that we’ve overestimated our devotion to a goal and allowed for it to slide down the forgotten trail?

I point no fingers here. Guilty as charged, I’ve fallen off the promise track after a few weeks of disinterest and enthusiasm. Starting off with a bang, yet somehow losing that fervor and becoming distracted with excuses. Can anyone relate?

First, as a Believer and Follower of Jesus, I’m learning that whatever I desire to commit myself to, it must certainly align with His Will ~ nothing can be for selfish gain. That’s a priority and the first criteria to fulfill when creating my ‘resolutions.’ If I have submitted myself to my Lord, then I must remember that not everything I can imagine is intended for me to lay hold of.

Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 ESV

Secondly, I have come to realize that while striving for stellar achievement in the unchartered realm might be a great way to develop some weaker skills and possibly pick up on a new skill set, I may be going off course simply because it sounds or looks enticing. Therefore, prayer must supersede all movement ~ including the drafting of plans or projects.

¹⁴ And this is the boldness we have in God’s presence: that if we ask God for anything that agrees with what he wants, he hears us. ¹⁵ If we know he hears us every time we ask him, we know we have what we ask from him. 1 John 5:14-15 NCV

And thirdly, an honest look at what my mind is conceiving in comparison to the gifts and talents that GOD has given me to this point in my life. Here is where I will need to surrender all of what is currently in my hand (because He placed it there) and trust Him for the process and outcome.

¹⁰ Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]. 1 Peter 4:10 Amplified

Bottom line: go ahead and make those resolutions, Sister. Pray about them and keep them simple. Record what you’re promising to do, why you’re doing it, and how you believe the Holy Spirit is leading you to proceed. Remember that you won’t do it perfectly, but the Perfect One, Jesus, has already gone ahead of you. So, when the challenges hit (and they will), in His Strength you can do what He has called you to do.

If you’re aiming to bring Him Glory and point others to Him, He will see to it that all goes according to (His) Plan. You’ll be thankful you consulted with Him first before taking that initial step.

You’ve got a few more days to get it together and I’m sure you’re eager to get going … 2024 is just around the corner.

Feel free to share with the rest of us what GOD is leading you to do in the new year ~ inspiration is something we could all use 🤗.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary