Realistic Resolutions

January has ended and the euphoria of Happy New Year has probably faded. Do you remember the excitement of the newness of a new year that was actually just a few weeks ago? The new plans and direction we wanted for our lives?  Incorporating new habits and steps to meet those new goals can prove to be quite a challenge! It takes a lot of work, diligence and discipline. The struggles we face while pursuing a goal reveal how much or how little we desire the end result.

But, instead of beating ourselves up, let's take a realistic evaluation as there are still 11 months left of 2019. The daily grind of life can drowned out or quiet those resolutions that quickened in our hearts. But, a fact is, every year we should expect more than the year before. It's called growth. It means removing obstacles and limitations and trusting God for new heights. This is not about performing for God. Instead it is about moving further toward God's design for you to represent Him in all areas of your life. The more we set and meet expectations based on His design, the more fruitful and fulfilling our life will be. Let us demonstrate to the world the excellence of our God by making His expectations our own. 

Three major areas where we can grow that will affect us the most are Time, Talent and Treasure.  Here are a few questions for us to ponder and challenge ourselves.

1. Time: How can you set a higher bar in 2019 for how you use and manage your time in ways that reflect the character of God? Psalms 90:12 - So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

2. Talent: If you challenged yourself to better invest your heart, soul, mind and strength for God, what would that look like? 

3. Treasure: How would you like to change your patterns of working, saving, investing and giving in 2019? II Corinthians 9:6-8 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Instead of setting ourselves up for failure (which resolutions tend to do), may we seek God for an action plan for our lives. What are ways to begin with these three areas that we can trust God to help us meet this year?

"We never grow closer to God when we just live life." Francis Chan

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.