New Years resolutions, goals and objectives find their way onto our personal agendas. Some of us hope to get back into shape physically. Others want to draw closer to their loved ones. Many seek to improve their careers. Churches review what went right in the past year and how to improve for the new one. Whether it is the goal of losing a few pounds or enriching our families or growing at work a new year brings the opportunity for growth.
Interestingly the apostle Peter's last exhortation was to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior." (2 Peter 3:18) His second epistle is filled with the spiritual growth theme. (See 2 Peter 1:5-9) Yet, if you are like me growth becomes a struggle. I lose sight of my goals. After a few weeks we allow the motivation and momentum of the new year slip away. How many times have you started out with good intentions only to end up with few if any resolutions kept? Maybe the problem is our approach. Perhaps we need to take a new tact.
Yesterday (1/12/11) I read from Psalm 67:1-2. The ESV renders those verses as follows. "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth saving your power among all nations." More than anything else we need God's gracious hand to bless us. We require His face to shine upon us. Whatever resolution or goal we set forth we must first seek God's hand and help when it comes to accomplishing those. God's face shining upon us is the psalmists poetic way of emphasizing we need the Lord's Presence and power working in our lives. Goals, objectives and resolutions will only be accomplished if God is leading our lives. If we take the "me-first" agenda we will ultimately fail.
Something else we to bear in mind as we approach these issues. "This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it." (Psalm 118:24) Seize the day for Christ! Live in the moment! I know those are cliches. But if we pursue every day with same level of vigor and purpose God will surely guide us in the paths of righteousness. Goals and objectives remain just one slice of the pie we call life. They find fulfillment in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If goals or resolutions are simply self-improvement devoid of connection to God then they will most likely be short-lived. Live today for Christ. (Philippians 1:21) He is the reason we get out of bed and pursue what lies before us.
To God be the glory!
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