“Yes I’ll make a resolution
That I’ll never make another one
Just enjoy this ride on my trip around the sun”
Written by Al Anderson/Steve Bruton/Sharon Vaughn
Performed by Jimmy Buffett and Martina McBride
Revelation 21:5b “Look! I’m making all things new.” CEB
Lamentations 3:22-23 “Certainly the faithful love of the LORD hasn’t ended;certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
New Year’s Day always reminds me (and I think most other people) of starting over with new opportunities. Part of that starting over is resolutions to improve one’s life in the new year. This usually means starting some good habit like exercising more and reading the Bible daily or stopping some bad habit like overeating and smoking. I have made my share of resolutions and always ended up breaking them. This year I have resolved to stop making resolutions. Instead I am going to strive daily to better myself by making better choices which includes stop eating fast food and junk food and start eating more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. It means start exercising on regular basis. Hopefully, these actions will result in weight loss and better health physically. I am also going to give people the benefit of the doubt. I am going to love deeper and forgive more freely. Hopefully, these actions will result in better mental health. I am going to talk to God more, but more importantly I am going to listen more. Hopefully, this will result in better spiritual health.
What I have realized is that these things are not yearly resolutions. They are daily choices. I think that what makes New Year’s Resolutions so easy to break is that we see them as annual events rather than daily lifestyle decisions. I must remember that as Lamentations says God’s compassion and love are renewed every morning. They are not new yearly, monthly, or even weekly, but daily. God will strengthen me daily to do what I need to do to better myself.
My prayer for myself and for you is to see these challenges as daily choices and see God’s mercies as a source of daily strength. And may this next trip around the sun, be a great one.
