New Year's Resolutions

Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

New Year's resolutions are hard to keep. Every year millions of Americans make resolutions. Forbes.com states, "But for all the good intentions, only a tiny fraction of us keep our resolutions; University of Scranton research suggests that just 8% of people achieve their New Year’s goals."

Why is this startling statistic true?  I believe the number one reason is that we attempt to follow through with our resolutions in our own strength. 

Nowhere is scripture is it expressed that we are to work independently from God. As a matter of fact we are told in the Word that without God, we can do NOTHING!  John 15:5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

Keeping our resolutions may be a simply matter of math: Our nothing + God's something = SUCCESS.  As we are told in Zechariah 4:6b "It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies."  

All of our trying won't lead to success. Only by God's Spirit can we keep our resolutions. 

Additionally, I believe we struggle to keep our resolutions because we fail to seek God's will before we make our vows. Proverbs 20:25 "It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows."

To illustrate, many of us may say, "I am going to spend more time at the gym this year so I can lose weight."  God may desire for us to learn more self-control in what/how much we eat. 

Some may say, "I'm going to work overtime this year so I can pay off my bills." God may be saying, "Trust me be being consistently faithful in tithing and I will help you get out of debt."  

Still others may vow to "work harder" for the kingdom. God's desire might be for us to spend more time in intimacy with him. 

All of these resolutions look good at first glance, but if they don't line up with God's desires for our life, they are not likely to be fulfilled. However, if they are fulfilled, we may be missing out on God's greater good for our life.