Happy New Year! Welcome to Savoring Home, a collection of scribbles by a stay-at-home wife who writes. Here’s where I talk about home, family, and faith. And today, your new year’s resolution.
Have you made a resolution for the new year? A promise to yourself to change your habits, stretch your mind, or try something new? Are you ready to “wipe the slate clean” and start over?
A shiny new year is the perfect time for new beginnings.
Let’s get started!
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Your New Year’s Resolution
Last night, as I caught up on my web reading, a resolutions article crossed my Google feed. Sharon Smith (no relation) shared her take on the time-honored New Year’s tradition.
“Resolutions are not wishes,” she wrote. “They are personal goals. Things you would like to [do] during the coming year.”
Like letting go and moving on.
Are You Stuck in the Past?
Some people can’t set goals for the future because they’re stuck in the past. If this describes you, it might be time to let go.
“Life is too short to hold on to things that are hurtful and unproductive,” Smith wrote. “Letting go and moving on may be exactly what you need.”
In my experience, the best way to let go is to go to God in faith and prayer. Ask Him to help you release your anger, resentment, worry, negativity, or perfectionism. Anything that keeps you from moving on.
My New Year’s Resolution
Resolved: I will live for God and the people He brings into my life. That’s MY new year’s resolution. It centers on relationship, but it requires letting go and moving on.
The apostle Paul is the main inspiration for my resolution this year. In particular, his letter to the Philippians. He endorsed forgetting the past and embracing the future – with Christ.
Paul made a point to “press toward the goal” and “reach for the prize” to which God called him (Philippians 3:13-14).
Jonathan Edwards, the great revivalist, also inspires me. The 18th century theologian crafted his 70 Resolutions to help him grow in grace.
Almost 300 years later, his resolutions remind US of our need to partner with God and pray for His help.
Edwards made a commitment to check his resolutions once a week to ensure he stayed on track. His first resolution set the stage for those that followed, and it seemed to defined his life mission:
“Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good … [and] the good and advantage of mankind.”
Jonathan Edwards
By the Grace of God
What a beautiful commitment to God, himself, and his fellow man! Yet, Edwards knew he could NOT keep his resolution without God’s help. Let both of us be aware of this truth – and pray, as Edwards did:
“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help,” he wrote, “I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.”
Wrapping It Up
I hope you liked my first post for Savoring Home. I hope it inspired you to make a commitment to forget the past and embrace the future with Christ.
Before your leave, here’s a pretty journal you can use to deepen your relationship with God. The publisher, Inspired to Grace, sells many beautiful prayer journals and coloring books. They also have free scripture prints to post in your home or office. Enjoy! ◻️
Related Posts
- 10 Christian Quotes That Will Inspire You in the New Year
- 15 Bible Verses That Will Give You Hope in the New Year
- What If You Replaced Your New Year’s Resolution With a Word?
Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. Name one goal you have for the new year. What steps will you take to achieve it?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a reply, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
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