New Year: Abandoned New Year’s Resolutions

In our younger days my husband and I eagerly anticipated the new year with a long bucket list of New Year’s resolutions. As I look back I’m reminded that we had some unrealistic goals and lofty expectations.

We would discuss our goals then write them down for safekeeping.  This actually proved to be a good exercise in marital communication. Although we had nice aspirations, as the year moved forward we were doomed to fail.

Predictably, as the years went by our list shortened.  Then we finally scrapped the list altogether. The end results of our efforts; forgotten New Year’s resolutions.

Unfortunately, New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside or get abandoned altogether

Do you have forgotten New Year’s resolutions?  Have you given up on any in the past? Of course it is still  to early to make any conclusions for 2019.

Usually a majority of resolutions revolve around self improvement, getting organized, and resolving financial issues. But the most common resolution, at the very top of the list, is getting in shape.

How about getting spiritually fit? According to the Bible bodily exercise is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things (1Timothy 4:8). What really matters for believers this upcoming year is maintaining our Christian faith.

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Overtime we have really simplified things in reference to resolutions for the new year. Keeping it simple, I believe, is the key to success. We have trimmed down our long list to one goal. Simply put the goal is “perseverance” for the upcoming year. Just one word, but it says a lot.

Let’s not put perseverance on our list of  forgotten New Year’s resolutions for 2020

Perseverance is defined as steadfastness, patience, persistence to attend constantly, continue unswervingly, adhere firmly, hold fast to. Throughout the New Testament Christians are called to persevere.

We persevere through temptation, persecution, suffering, and all the trying times of life. Equally important, perseverance means not stopping, quitting, or slowing down. Perseverance produces Christian character.

As clearly stated in Romans 5: 3-4 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope.”

Perseverance involves our commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to stay focused and steadfast on God’s path for us. Proverbs 4:25 states, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”

Perseverance involves using our God given gifts even if we feel ill-equipped and make mistakes. In Hebrews 13:21 it says that God will equip us in every good thing to do His will.

So let’s use our gifts to the glory of God. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1Corinthians 15:58).

While we persevere, let’s not get tripped up and get off course; here are some warnings to be aware of:

• Gravitating away from God’s word – We need to read and meditate on God’s word regularly. Next, we need to attend a church that teaches the full council of God. “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Hebrews 2:1).
• Danger of hard and unresponsive heart – We need to remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit when He is prompting us to discern sin in our lives. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).
• Spiritual immaturity – We need to move forward and mature in our walk with Christ. “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12).
• Self efforts or religious activity to earn God’s favor – This leads to legalism. We don’t need to earn God’s favor. He has already paid the price. There is no more sacrifice for sin. “Not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:9).
• Putting our trust in things that are not trustworthy – Let’s not put our trust in other things, instead of putting our trust in God. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him” (Jeremiah 17:7).

As it turns out what is common to most of us is forgotten New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps we can remember this New Year only one resolution; that is to persevere. With that being said, have a Happy New Year and persevere through 2020!

Coward and wayward and weak,
I change with the changing sky;
Today so eager and bright,
Tomorrow too weak to try;
But He never gives in,
So we too shall win,
Jesus and I
(author unknown)

“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:3)