Setting a Biblical New Year Resolution

"New year, new me"

We hear this at the beginning of every single year. The people around us beginning to set new year resolutions based on weight loss, organization, and managing finances. All of these are great resolutions, but people rarely stick to them. Like they may last 3 weeks. Then it is back to your same old ways. But New year resolutions do not just have to be about earthly goals. Before the beginning of this year, I knew that I wanted to be closer to Jesus at the end of 2020 than in the beginning. I knew that I could not continue living the way I was living, so I decided to set a biblical New Years Resolution for myself.

As many of you know, I lead a bible study every Thursday night with a group of my college friends. I was not sure what we should talk about on the first Thursday of the semester, and I quickly decided this could be beneficial for so many of us. I thought it could be extremely beneficial to everyone because they are able to set a resolution that works for them.

James 5:7-8

For this reason, my brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the return of the Lord. Look! The farmer knows how to wait patiently for the land to produce vegetables and fruits. He cannot harvest a freshly planted seed. Instead, he waits for the early and late showers to nourish the soil. You need this same kind of patience, so in the meantime, strengthen your resolve because the Lord will be coming soon.

This story of a farmer made me think about how I must not sit around and be lazy after I have set my new year resolution. I still must work diligently while I am patiently waiting for the growth that the Lord has prepared for me. Like growing crops, it is not going to happen overnight it takes patience. But, the farmer cannot just sit around and do nothing while the crops are growing.

After our bible study had conversations about this verse and what it means to us, we started talking about new year resolutions that some of us have already set. They ranged from losing weight, exercising more, living with purpose, finding a church home. There is nothing wrong with setting New Year's resolutions for your earthly body because these can glorify the Lord. Although, I do believe we need to include the Lord in any resolution we set for it to be successful. If we know that we are following God's plan we will be more likely to stick to it. I do think all of those resolutions are great, but the Lord would also be honored if we set spiritual resolutions.

Like I said before, we need to include the Lord in any resolution we set. These verses helped me understand just how much I need to learn on Him if I want to be successful with my resolution.

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

We can not do anything apart from the Lord. We need to make sure we are seeking His guidance when setting these resolutions. These are just a few things we talked about in my small group to decide and continue a biblical new year's resolution.

We need to pray to the Lord for wisdom for a resolution to set. This could take a while to understand exactly how you can grow in your walk with the Lord. But seriously, ask the Lord and make sure you are listening for His voice.

• James 1:5- If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

• 1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Many New Year Resolutions fail before January is even over. Find someone to hold you accountable for your resolution. Make sure you tell them exactly what your goal is and that no matter what you need their encouragement. We need other people and we must be willing to let them in.

Make sure you do not beat yourself up when you fail. We are human, and this will happen. You are strong enough to get back up.

• Proverbs 24:16 The righteous may fall seven times but still get up, but the wicked will stumble into trouble.

As the verse says below, we must commit to the Lord and we must do this in every area of our life, not just our resolutions.

• Psalm 37:5-6 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Setting a resolution does not just have to happen at the beginning of the year. This can be done at any point in the year. You can make the choice to restart at any point. I just thought the beginning of 2020 was the perfect time to start with my bible study. I have seen tremendous change in my life in just 24 days, and I am so excited to see how much my relationship with Jesus has grown by the end of 2020. Good luck with your biblical new year resolutions! It is never too late to set one for yourself.

xoxo,

Madison