Turning Over a New Leaf

This blog is not about my favourite hockey team, so it is safe to continue reading!  But it is about the “post resolution” making blues.  It is somewhat traditional to make all kinds of promises that this year is going to be different from all the rest we have lived.  We are going to lose weight, start an excersize program that involves a little more than lifting your fork to your mouth, and many other things we could mention.  If you are normal, and I know you are reading my blog because you are normal, your resolution will last to perhaps January 20th before you fall back into your old patterns of living.

Much more important and serious than a resolution to start the new year would be how are you going to grow spiritually this year?  On the positive side of the scale, what are you going to do to be the person that God wants you to be in 2014 and beyond.  In order to do that it could be that there are some things that you must stop doing. What would they be?  I would encourage you to make a list of those things.  Begin to pray about them and ask God for the strength and wisdom to discern what should be priorities for you.

I am heading into my 55th year of life, I know I don’t look nearly that old, but my driver’s license and my birth certificate tell me that this is true.  I realize today how much God has enabled me to grow in the last couple of years BUT I also realize how far I have to go.  As the old saying goes, “God is not done with me yet.”  There are many areas in my life that I want to grow in spiritually, also there are things on my bucket list that I want to accomplish before God calls me home.  How will my life make a difference in the lives of those around me? How will my life make a difference to those who do not yet know the saving grace of God in Christ?

The old adage says, “If you do not set any goals you are sure to hit them every time!” The Apostle Paul reminds us to “making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16, ESV). He adds “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for. You to wake from sleep…” (Romans 13:11, ESV). Be proactive in your relationship with God. Whether you are active in the ministry of your local church in an official capacity or not, set your goals, work toward them every day and pray that God would make you all He wants you to be.

Yes, the resolutions for 2014 may already be a thing of the past but don’t let that stop you from taking every opportunity to be all that God has designed you to be. I will be praying that God will transform your life to be more like Him this year.

God bless you this year!