Have you made a resolution this year? There’s something about a new year that invites a new opportunity. I think that’s why we make them. People have been making resolutions since the Babylonians. So what about you? What do you want to do this year? What’s the one big thing you want to accomplish? Perhaps you want to lose weight, eat healthy, quit smoking, save more, spend more time with family, drink less, volunteer, learn more, read the Bible or become more regular in church community participation. These are noble goals – often made resolutions – which are often unsuccessfully reached. Let’s make 2015 different. Let’s make a resolution and keep it. But, how do we do it?
I want to suggest a pattern that Paul demonstrated in his pursuit of his faith’s goal – the resurrection of the dead. Read Philippians 3:13-14 keeping in mind Paul’s pattern for his quest.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
Paul’s pattern suggests we need to answer three questions based on three key words or phrases.
(Forgetting) – What’s holding you back? Before you can move forward, you need to determine what is holding you back. Perhaps it is negative thinking or behaviors. It’s time to let go of both. You won’t move forward until you let go of what’s holding you back.
(Straining forward) – Where do you want to go? Straining forward indicates you’re moving toward a known and discovered goal. It’s the big thing. What’s the one big thing you’d like to do this year? Keep in mind we’re talking about one goal and not multiple goals. The more you narrow or refine your goal the more apt you are to achieve it.
(Press on) – What’s the first step? Pressing on indicates you’ve identified the first step and have taken it. This is the final question. Where do you start? What’s the first step necessary to start moving you toward your resolution? It may be small, but it is always specific. It all begins with the first step. Good intentions matter not; it’s the follow through that counts.
What’s your one big thing? Determine what’s holding you back. Identify your goal and take the first step. This is the pattern for engaging and achieving your resolution.
So, why have a resolution? I think it’s because we’re to be constantly growing and changing in our faith. Faith isn’t static, but should be moving, changing and growing. The work of Christ in us is about transformation and being conformed to His image. We don’t encounter Christ and stay the same. Let’s make 2015 a year of change – for the good.
