It’s 2023 and the year stretches before you. There’s the age-old question everyone asks: “What’s your New Year’s resolution?”
One year, I decided I was not going to have a New Year’s resolution, because, let’s be honest, those New Year’s resolutions (going to lose weight, going to eat better, going to learn a new skill, etc.) are seldom kept. In the light of this, I decided, as I don’t keep these New Year’s resolutions, why bother to make any?
Then, because of the good people around me, I was challenged. Am I living my life dictated to by circumstances, people, weather, or finances (among many other things)?
I asked myself: “Well then, how should I face each year?” Quite simply, are we not called to be more like Christ?
Ephesians 5:1 -2 (NIV): “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
I need to live my life with determination to be more like Christ. Jesus lived his life with determination. He knew what He had to do and lived intentionally toward that, every day of His life.
John 12:27 (NIV): “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.”
I love this quote from Billy Graham: “Jesus proved His determination on the Cross.”
Jesus stayed determined and resolute in what He came to earth to do.
With this in mind, I am upon this verse, and I reckon this is a New Year’s resolution that I can work at year after year, after year. This is but one of many verses that encourages us to live lives that reflect Jesus.
Phillippians 4:8 (NIV): “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
The Message (Eugene Peterson) reads it as follows:
“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”
Imagine for a moment, living every day determined to keep our eyes on what Jesus calls us to focus on. This is a New Year’s resolution that I could be determined to achieve. The great thing is that I don’t have to try and do this on my own.
Phillippians 4:7 (NIV) states: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God does His part in helping us to be more Christ-like, but we, too, have a part to play. As The Message says: “…you’ll do your best by filling your minds and meditating on…”
Look at Isaiah 26:3-4(NIV)”
“ You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”
Friend, there is simply nothing that can hold us back from making New Year’s resolutions that help us to become more Christ-like.
A little courage, a little determination, a willingness to change, and you can enjoy perfect peace, you can see situations differently, you can face each morning with wonderful thoughts and beautiful things to look forward to.
Join me this year in taking up this challenge of “…filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Philippians 24:9; NIV).
Imagine how different your days, weeks, months and year(s) can look when you focus on the things of Christ.
I invite you (with me) to be determined to achieve this goal in 2023 – though it will be a work in progress, I am sure.
As we focus our eyes on Jesus, we will see ourselves stepping increasingly into what God has called us to. Make 2023 full of this wonderful opportunity.
Determined Jesus Follower
Nadine