This Year...

Google says that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. In fact, research goes on to show that 23% of people quit their resolutions by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January.

We’ve all been there:

• I am going to start exercising.
• This year, I am going to lose 25 pounds.
• I am going to eat healthier this year - no more fast food.
• This year, I am going to spend less money and save more money
• I am going to read the Bible more.
• This year, I am going to go to church more.
• I am going to give more money to the church.
• This year, I am going to spend less time on social media.
• I am going to… 

Well, I think you get the point. So many promises we make to ourselves only to break them a few weeks or months later. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with making resolutions, but I find, in my case, that resolutions without Jesus often bring condemnation of failure.

I find that true reflection with Jesus yields the most fruit. More than anything, I want to know what He sees in me. He knows everything about me: my thoughts, my heart, my actions, my future. When I am alone in the presence of Jesus and trust His love for me, my focus becomes His focus for my life. My journey with Jesus will take me further along than I could ever do alone.

I love Psalm 139 and how David reflects on who God is and God’s personal thoughts about David himself (and you as well):

Everyday of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, God, they cannot be numbered. I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me.

We jump to verse 23 that says, Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Instead of yearly resolutions that the world makes, what if we woke up daily, knowing that God’s thoughts about us are precious and that His love for us is incomprehensible? And what if daily, we asked Him to show us anything that offends, trusting Him to guide us into paths that bring life and peace to us as well as those around us? Instead of focusing on the actions, what if we allowed God to place His gentle hand on our hearts? What if partnering with Him brings the true change that we desire to see in our lives? What if this year could be the best one yet?

READ: Psalm 139

PRAYER/RESPONSE: As you complete the reading, I want to encourage you to spend time in His presence. Thank Him for all He has done this year and ask Him to reveal anything in you that He wants to gently touch. It could be a wounded heart. It could be sin. It could be a relationship. I could write every scenario, but I will stop. I believe God will speak to you, that you will hear his voice, and that He will guide you into the path that brings true life.  God is good like that. He’s a good Father!

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