Resolutions: Be Fruitful!

As the day dawned into the New Year, we sat up and silently thought “what does the new year have in store for us?” Have you ever thought of it really? What have you attempted for God in 2013 and what do you still wish to attempt for Him in 2014? What are your expectations from God in 2014? In most cases the expectation far exceeds the attempt to do something for God. It’s quite normal to have a New Year’s resolution every single year, but have you ever wondered why our resolutions almost always seem to fail? I've discovered that there is always a common factor to the failure of our resolutions.

1. They’re almost always temporary solutions to long term problems, i.e. most people who wish to lose weight think of a short term plan. Some people want to accomplish great things in the ministry, but look for the quickest way to do so.
2. Our resolutions are in most cases triggered by guilt, perhaps to a certain extent some kind of desire, but the desire ends just there.
3. Our resolutions may be good and we may be sincere in themselves, however; it may not be God’s will for us.

Step Ahead:

1. I've realized over the years that in order for our resolutions to be effective, we need to consider change as a lifestyle, rather than a temporary solution. Example if in 2014 I want to gain or lose weight, I must think along the lines of making health a way of life, rather than a temporary diet. If we wish to accomplish great things for God, we must always start at the lowest round of the ladder, and as time goes with every round, go higher and higher.
2. Our resolutions must not stop at just a desire, if we take a step further and actually go all out, in prayer and earnestness asking God for strength, He will give us power to carry through.
3. We ought to align ourselves to the will of God and allow Him the opportunity to guide us.

According to the above guidelines, what would you have done differently in 2013?  Your answers will reflect which areas need improvement in 2014, pray for guidance. How about we start afresh and make our resolutions daily so that when the year ends we can rightly reflect on the things we have accomplished in the previous year and those we are willing to attempt in the coming year by God’s grace? Think about it. Have a fruitful year!