New Year's Resolutions

Okay, 2009 is here. It’s now time to get serious about those New Year’s resolutions that have flowed so freely from our lips the past weeks. It is unfortunate that so many resolutions last barely longer than the first week of the New Year. Most people have good intentions, they really do. Most of us are in need improvement of some sort and many people are aware of the need. Why then are the vast majority of New Year’s resolutions left unrealized? This truly illustrates the difficulty involved with change. Change of any sort, but especially with drastic change; the more drastic the change, the harder it is to achieve (and let’s face it, most of our resolutions involve drastic change!). Even when we know it’s for our own good, it is hard to change…it is work. I think that’s why so many people have trouble with Jesus Christ. He brought radical change to the world. He calls each of us to change; whether you’re a drug addict, a businessman, a homemaker, or a pastor, he calls us to change. In Matthew 18:3-9 Jesus tells us of the change required to enter the Kingdom. The prophet Malachi tells us of the one thing that doesn’t change (3:6). So, here we are…it’s January 2, and that resolution is staring you down…waiting for you to flinch. Now what? I want to suggest that you tackle it by claiming that in His power you can do anything! (Romans 8:28, 37), and believing that Christ gives us life to the fullest (John 10:10). If you can do that, there will soon be a new you, to the glory of God!