Resolve (original) (raw)

This beautiful challenge wasn't written by me, but by Sarah N. Since she doesn't have an LJ account, I'm publishing it on the blog for her.

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2005 is my year. I graduate. I start college. I have the significant birthday
that allows me to become the ever-coveted "Independent." Yes - 2005 will be a
year of new challenges, exciting opportunities, and self-definition.

Unfortunately, I've gone about it all wrong. Just take a look at the first
sentence of this devotional. "2005 is my year." Maybe if I'd said something
like, "2005 is God's year" or "2005 is the year I grow up" I would be more on
the right track.

See, we've all thought about this year in some way or another. It's the year we
lose the weight and look good for everyone we're desperate to impress. It's the
year we get a boyfriend/girlfriend. It's the year we find a job that pays a
fortune. It's the year we turn heads - in every aspect of our lives.

That's an interesting list. But what about these resolutions? It's the year we
read our Bible the whole way through. It's the year we find a way to witness to
one person every week. It's the year we don't say a single cuss word. It's the
year we never ever use the word, "hate". It's the year we don't miss church for
football - ever. It's the year we CHANGE. Not our bodies - our souls. It's the
year we GROW. Not in the financial department - in the spiritual department.

This New Year, have a resolution to RESOLVE. I know it sounds redundant, but
check it out. Resolve conflicts with family members and friends. Resolve unrest,
impatience, and depression you might be experiencing. Resolve what you're doing
with your life - make sure it lines up with God's plan.

Make it God's year, not yours.

I realize none of this is brand new information. In fact, I'll bet most of it
coincides with other devos in this very magazine. But let's turn it in a
different direction.

Make a different kind of list this year. Make a list called, "What I Did Right
In 2004". Every new year we all look at our lives and see the negatives, see
what needs to change. We didn't exercise enough. We didn't have our quite time
enough. We made bad grades. Blah blah blah.

Bottom line: we weren't good enough.

What a depressing thought.

The reason I'm talking about this at all is because last year I forgot to
remember the good in my life, in who I am, and I ended up depressed, even though
it was only for a little while. It happened at the beginning of the year, right
after I'd measured myself and decided I didn't amount to much. Then I set
unreasonable goals, trying to make myself perfect - a goal no one can ever
achieve - and I failed them because I was taking too big of leaps, which served
to depress me more. I want you to learn from my mistake last year. I did. In my
head I've gone over the ways God has blessed me this year. It's not so much
about what I have, or what I've accomplished, though it's great to remember
those things, but it's about who I am. It's about my character traits. I have
some good ones. You do too. Think about those - more importantly, thank God for
them - and keep them safe in your heart and sharp on your mind when you're
figuring out your new year's resolutions.

Reflect. Resolve. Rejoice.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Sarah N.