Keeping Your Promise

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” – Galatians 6:10

Here we are 21 days into the New Year, 2019.  How are the resolutions coming along?  Still on track, still remaining consistent and committed to achieving the goals that have been set?  Each year the majority of us will sit down and think through the areas of our life that we would like to improve.  Some of the most common resolutions involve losing weight, time management, eating healthier and loving more.  This is not a new phenomenon, it has been going on for centuries as we come to the end of one year and look for new beginnings; a chance to wipe the slate clean and start over.  If you think about it, January 1^st was just another day; no different than December 31^st or January 2^nd.  Yet, within each of us there was a sense of renewal and an increased commitment to change certain things about our life that we may be unhappy with.

I propose to you that this not need be a once a year experience, and that every day you have the opportunity to start afresh in the Lord.  Walk in His light each day, and know that He will walk with you if you so choose.  Set goals for the day and then reconcile nightly on the achievements.  Start small, a few key objectives for the day and then progress to larger, farther reaching goals.  If you don’t have a journal or place to record these goals, than I highly suggest you buy one today.  It can be as simple as a spiral notebook, just something to record your thoughts and write down your daily goals.  This gives you the ability to review throughout the year where you have had success.

Secondly, lift these goals to God each and every day.  Ask Him for the help to achieve these goals and share His message with others.  He is your strength when it seems you cannot reach or live up to the targets and commitments you have made.  The Holy Spirit living within becomes your accountability coach, reminding you of what you are trying to achieve.  Keep in mind that the whole point of a New Years resolution is to improve one’s self and to become a better influence on those around you.  The opportunities are there every day, you need to decide how you are going to pursue them and then lean on the Holy Spirit to help you fulfill them.

A daily list might look something like this:
1.  Today, I resolve to refrain from using vulgar language
2.  Today, I resolve to listen intently when others are speaking
3.  Today, I resolve to eat more healthy foods – vegetables and fruit; rather than sweets

It’s important to realize that God’s love is not dependent upon you achieving this list each day.  He will not love you more if you are perfect at keeping your resolutions, than He does if you fail at all of them.  The goal here is not to do good things to be worthy of His love, it is to improve your character and your focus on Him.  His love for you is unchanging regardless.  Go ahead, make a list for today and let’s get started on a great 2019, there are still 344 days ahead.



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