It has started already. First we were told we needed exercise equipment for Christmas and now we are being shamed by advertisements into using it and joining a new weight loss program to get our bodies into shape. If you haven’t already done it basically you aren’t going to do it now.
I’ve done it all.
OK, being redundant but as far as making anything better it is something you have to make sure happens yourself, you can’t count on or put the responsibility for what happens on anyone else.
How do you do it? Will making a list of resolutions do it for you? I would love to see your list of resolutions for the New Year! How many items on that list has to do with how “bad” you are, such as saying how disorganized you are, how you need to quit spending more money than you earn, you know you must lose those pounds you have packed on since Thanksgiving, am I right so far? Well we can try just wiping the slate clean and starting fresh. That is what the advertisements about diets and gym memberships are all about!
I have a more spiritual aspect in mind, I want to wipe away the negative thoughts that have pervaded my inner thoughts, wipe out thoughts of past failures and past friendships, relationships, mistakes…all the above. The Bible tells me in Hebrews that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. That being said, Jesus is the one Who forgave the woman at the well of her indiscretions, healed the Samaritan woman’s daughter, raised Lazarus from the dead, fed five thousand people with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, promised eternal life and gave forgiveness at the very last moment of the thief’s life, that was hanging on the cross next to Him.
Do any of those things come under a category of YOUR needs for the coming year?
Again I refer to the book of Hebrews which tells us that Jesus is our High Priest and can empathize with all of our temptations, troubles, sickness…He handled it all, without sin, so that when we have a similar problem He knows exactly what we need to fix it!
Hebrews 4:14-16 Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
Make a list of all your shortcomings this past year (maybe just mentally…No evidence that way) and think of what it would take for your life to take an upward turn this coming year!
Philippians 4:13-14 “Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”
One thing I know, you are not alone, Jesus is always there and He is making intercession for us at the right hand of the Father.
Now tell me what is on your list! Happy New Year!
Harolene.com 