“…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!”
…2 Corinthians 5.17

I love listening to people as they make their New Year’s Resolutions. Sometimes they know exactly what they should resolve to do in the coming year, but other times they don’t seem to have a clue. The advice guru, Ann Landers, made some good suggestions, “Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Free yourself of envy. Resolve to stop magnifying small problems and shooting from the hip. Lighten up. When you feel like blowing your top, ask yourself, ‘Will it matter a week from today?’ Be optimistic. Read something uplifting. Deep-six the trash. Walk tall and smile more. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I love you.’”

To assist in documenting our resolutions, we can now register online at HiAspire.com and receive monthly email reminders of what we resolved to do. That way, if we feel the need, we can judge our progress. In looking at the site, it’s quickly evident that exercise and dieting head the resolutions list. Also near the top were things like becoming a better person…a better spouse…a better parent. But, one that especially intrigued me was listed as “Find Dreams”. We all have dreams we want to achieve. But reaching those goals doesn’t just happen; it takes work and sometimes even sacrifice.

So, as the New Year 2010 unfolds, how can we move beyond just making resolutions and begin creating solutions for our lives so we can achieve our goals? How can we, as beloved Children of God, ensure that 2010 will be a wonderfully fulfilling year?

First, I think we’re called to a dynamic faith. In and through our belief in the grace and goodness of our Lord, we can defeat discouragement and be empowered to live victoriously in Christ Jesus who redeems us, protects us, strengthens us and provides for our needs. {Philippians 4.13, 4.19; Psalm 23; Joshua 1.9}

Second, I think we’re called to honestly assess our lifestyle…our behavior…taking to heart the saying, “What we do speaks so loud that others cannot hear what we say.” Throughout the Word of God we’re reminded that we’re to live holy lives, exemplifying Jesus in our Christian witness {Matthew 5.15}, and in our participation in the life and ministry of the Church. {1 Timothy 3.15}.

Third, I think we should be on our guard against the principalities and powers that would draw us from our Lord and His plan for our lives. Being fore-warned is to be fore-armed. Holy Scripture encourages us to beware of the real dangers that confront us in our daily Christian lives, and to find our strength and purpose in the Lord Jesus Christ.{Rom 8.37-39)

And finally, I realize that it’s simply not possible for anyone to be genuinely happy without a sense of “belonging”. We have not been created to live lives of isolation. “For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.” {Romans 14.7} We simply can’t survive this world on our own; we’re to be part of a community…a fellowship…a family. But we’re not part of just any family, we have been adopted into the Household of God…we’re part of His family and can rejoice in the blessing that we belong to Christ and to each other. {Acts 2.47, Mark 9.41}

With the coming of a New Year, it’s encouraging to know that we can put aside the past
with its failures and frustrations and embrace the future our Lord has planned for us.
{Ephesians 4. 22-24} Every year…every day…is a new beginning. The Lord builds up and strengths the entire body of Christ one person at a time. You are part of that body…you are part of God’s plan…and your life has incredible meaning and purpose which is a special gift to you from the Lord God Almighty….don’t forget….

“God has created me to do him some definite service; He
has committed some work to me which He has not
committed to another. I have my mission—I may never
know it in this life, but I shall be told in the next. I am a
link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He
has not created me for nothing. I shall do good, I shall do
His work. Therefore, I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever
I am. I cannot be thrown away.”
…J. H. Newman

Blessings for 2010!!

Kathy+