Being Resolute

So, tomorrow begins a new year. Have you made your resolutions yet? Sources report that some 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions while a meager 8% achieve what they’ve resolved. Some popular resolutions involve our health—eat better, workout more, drop a few pounds, get needed rest. Some involve relationships—spend more time with family, call mom and dad more often, invest in our marriage. Maybe you want to manage finances better or have a desire to be more philanthropic. You may also want to care more for our planet by recycling and driving an electric vehicle. Quit smoking, go back to school, write that book, etc. …

Whatever you have resolved to do in 2014, I pray that the Lord will lead and guide your efforts.

May I suggest one more thing…if you haven’t already resolved to do this? May I suggest that you resolve to fervently trust God in 2014 and every year thereafter? Why “trust” instead of pray or go to Bible study, or anything else? Because our Father God is the only one who is trustworthy.  The whole foundation of our relationship with Him begins with the idea that we trust what He has said is true – that Jesus is the Son of God and that His death on the cross is payment enough for our sins. And that we who believe will live forever with Him in His heaven when we die. It’s trust!

And our trust cannot stop there. We must trust Him with our future. We must trust Him with our loved ones. With our jobs. With our hopes and dreams. With our finances. With the details of whatever we have going on. With our very lives! Because when things get hairy…and they will get hairy…we cannot look to humanity or our strength and savvy, or the government, or any other thing for our security and guidance. When the dust settles, God alone is trustworthy. He alone is faithful.

So as you are resolving to accomplish whatever goals you have for the coming year, add trust in there. I will too. And let’s pray about it daily, shall we?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5&6