What are
some New Year’s resolutions you made this year?
Why do so
many people make New Year’s resolutions? Is it because we see something in our
lives we want to improve? We all look at ourselves from time to time, and see
things we want to improve. A new year gives us a reason to reflect and strive
for a new beginning So maybe we want to improve our health. Or fix up our
finances. Or maybe simply try to become a better person.
Well, as
Christians, this type of self-reflection that many do for their New Year’s
resolutions is something we are called to do on an ongoing basis. We are to
constantly do self-evaluations and strive to re-orient our lives back to God,
again and again. We fall down and then we get back up. We are constantly taking
stock of ourselves, confessing to God, repenting (which ultimately means
changing our direction from a self-centered one and reorienting our lives
toward God). God gives us a second, third, fifth, tenth and hundredth chance to
start anew!
So with
this in mind, what would be some good resolutions for us to make as Christians?
Here are ten suggestions:
1. Pray every day. Accept a Prayer Rule in your life, and then try
to follow that rule every day. Prayer is connecting with God, communing with
the Source of life. Say set prayers every morning and evening, but then seek to
talk with God throughout the day. Don’t let an hour go by where you don’t
“check in” with God and turn your attention to Him.
2. Do not only prayer, but meditate. This means
sitting in silence for 10 or 15 minutes each day, and trying to clear your mind
of all clutter, simply sitting in the presence of God. You can do this in front
of an icon, or you can sit anyone and close your eyes, reciting the Jesus
Prayer – “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy On Me, a Sinner.”
3. Strive to fill your mind each day with
something that is “true, noble, just, pure, lovely, holy” (Phil 4:8). In other
words, take time every day to read Holy Scripture, and other edifying spiritual
writings – for five or ten minutes. Fill your mind with words and thoughts that
will sanctify you. Meditate on what you read, and try to apply what you read in
your life.
4. Take time each day to express gratitude,
first towards God and then towards others. Even when you are having a tough
day, pause and think of five things for which you can thank God. And make it a
point that whenever you are frustrated, you thank God even more!
5. Each day hand over any anger or resentment to
God. Don’t allow the day to end while holding on to any bitterness. This means
that we have to practice forgiveness daily. Take time each day to reflect on
your own mistakes, asking God for forgiveness. Then, offer your forgiveness to
anyone who may have hurt or offended you.
6. Refuse to let jealousy, covetousness, greed,
and envy preoccupy your mind. Thank God for what you have, and “rejoice with
those who rejoice
7. Every day remember how Jesus washed the feet
of his disciples, and then think about how you can humbly serve others. And
strive to serve others with joy. Remember that it’s a blessing to be able to
serve and to give to others.
8. Do some random acts of kindness each day.
Better yet, be deliberate in conscious acts of kindness. Each day think about
how you can do something special for the people who cross your paths?
9. Smile, and try to brighten up each person who
crosses your path. Say words that will “edify and bring grace to the hearers”
(Ephesians 4:29)
10. Keep an eternal perspective on life. Each day
remember that some people have tragically died. Remembering death can help us
live life better. If we remember that we are but brief sojourners on this
earth, and that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, it changes our
perspective on how to live
These are
10 concrete resolutions that each of us can try to do. IF we do each of these
every day, they will greatly bless us, as well as bless others. We will become
instruments in God’s hands, shining forth His light of love to the world around
us!
May the
New Year bring happiness to keep you sweet; trials to keep you strong; sorrow
to keep you compassionate; hope to sustain you; failure to keep you humble;
success to keep you eager; friends to give you comfort; wealth to meet your
needs; enthusiasm to make you look forward to tomorrow; and determination to
make each day better than the day before.
A happy
and blessed new year!
Source: http://www.schwebster.org/sermons/blessed-new-year-resolutions
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