When December rolled around, I had a page on my journal with a handful of New Year's resolutions. By mid-December, that list had grown and grown, and quite honestly, it was quite impressive. It boasted items such as serve more, study more the Word of God, spend more time in prayer. No focus on dieting or baby-making (which are indeed things I look forward to), I was adamant to have a year serving God.
But as time went by, God showed me a different side to all this. He moved in me how He is not a checklist, and living for Him cannot be a checklist. Yes, there are things we do that we know will bring us close to Him, but if our hearts are not in it, it's all in vain.
So today, as I read my Message Remix: Solo (which I am loving by the way, and will post soon about it), what I read made a deep impression in my heart. Reading Numbers, a book I tend to glaze over when I read, I found the most amazing little half sentence.
'But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly...'
Numbers 14:24
Now first of all, let us be clear that God is the one talking here. Caleb isn't being praised by his boss, or even by Moses, but by God himself. And what is God's assessment of Caleb? That he follows Him wholeheartedly.
The more I thought about it, the more amazed I was. And the more I kept thinking that this is it. That's the secret to a happy and fulfilled life. So this is my one and only resolution for this year. And pretty much for the rest of my life.
I know I am setting myself up for failure. There is no way I can do this. But that is the point. I surrender to Jesus, because I know HE is the one who can, and will. Only he can change my heart. Only he can give me strengh and show me the way. I'm just making myself willing.
What is your New Year's Resolution?
