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New Year's Resolutions or Dissolutions?
January 1, 2009
New Year's Resolutions or Dissolutions
No, I'm not going to make a New Year's Resolution, you can't make me! I won't, I won't, I won't! That has always been my attitude towards making New Year's Resolutions. I know I won't keep them.
Last year I found myself recovering from surgery. There I was, bonding with my couch because my mobility was significantly limited. I was bored! I found myself at a couple 'pity parties'. The 'why me' and 'what did I do to deserve this' parties reel me in first. Then I started asking myself some questions, after all I am a life coach. How many times have I given up on a resolution before I've even started? Why am I afraid I will fail again? What would be the worst thing to happen if I did fail again? What can I learn from my past failures?
I remembered I had started a book study so I picked the book up again. As I was reading I felt compelled by God to make only 'one' resolution. "Now that's a thought", I quietly said to myself. He was speaking to me about 'using my voice'. Just speaking up when I had something to say. Overcoming my fears of what others will think. I spent all of last year listening to the Holy Spirit and speaking up when I had something to say. Sometimes He had to gently push me and sometimes I had to get on my knees because "I DIDN'T WANT TO DO WHAT HE ASKED". Every time however, I surrendered to His will. Today I am stronger and more God-confident than I was last year at this time.
This year He's asking me to read more. He's just asking that one thing, not a lot of resolutions. He knows so well that I can only concentrate on one at a time and be successful. I have a reading plan; I've set up my filing system so I am able to file good articles for easy retrieval. I will read magazines online to save money. I will read books recommended by those I trust getting them from the library whenever possible. And I will read for pleasure as a Sabbath.
My 'one' resolution has gotten me organized, saving money, listening to friends, expanding my knowledge and resting. Wow, all that from one resolution! When I listen to what God wants instead of what I 'should be doing' so much more is accomplished.
How many resolutions do you make? How difficult are they to keep? Have you counted the cost to you in keeping them? Could it be that God is only asking 'one thing' this year? Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has good planned for us. Remember, it's one step at a time that gets us where God is taking us.
~ Rhoda
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