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The New Year has begun — and with it, an untold number of resolutions.
I’m curious as to how many of those resolutions already have already fallen by the wayside.
I was never good at maintaining resolutions. I can remember just one that I’ve kept for any length of time. About 10 years ago, I resolved not to make more resolutions. And I have kept that one to today!
Why don’t I make New Year resolutions anymore?
Mostly because I felt guilty when I could no longer keep up with them. My intentions were exemplary. My follow-through was severely lacking.
Were goals set too high? No.
Were they unrealistic? No.
But resolutions address an aspect about ourselves that needs to be changed — and change is difficult.
For change to occur, there must be a full-fledged commitment to making it happen. The mindset must be “I must — and I will — do this!”
If it is approached with a “wouldn’t it be nice” frame of mind, the change will be short-lived.
Part of what it comes down to is making choices.
Will desired new healthy patterns continue to be chosen over old destructive patterns?
Will the choice be made to persevere through old habits’ lure?
Choices.
With what do you struggle? In what areas do you seek to change?
Will you break down the door of resentment, opening for you possibilities for healing and wholeness?
Will you break down the door of materialism, opening for you opportunities for contentment with what God has already given you?
Will you break down the door of destructive habits, opening for you the pathway to freedom from those things that enslave you?
Will you break down the door of a stagnant spiritual life, opening up new avenues of growth and maturity?
Will you break down the barrier that keeps you from fully accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, opening your heart to newness of life and ultimately eternal life?
In life, you must make choices. In 2013, remember that the most important decision you can make is to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
In Him, you will find life.
In Him, you will receive the ability to put the past behind you and move into new avenues of growth and life.
What choices await you in the year ahead?
Allow God and his love for you to guide those choices. Resolve to persevere in your new life.
Happy New Year!
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Resolutions are about making choices