Plan to be resolved

Welcome to 2010!
It’s hard to believe that 2009 has already come and gone.
This is typically a time when people make resolutions to change a habit or begin a new one. Whether it’s weight loss, better time management, a change in attitude, or dozens of other aspects of life, we often make promises to ourselves and others to change something.
First, I want you to think back to January 2009. What New Year’s Resolution did you make? Did you keep it? Or did it fall to the wayside as the challenges of life piled up around you?
If you followed through, what helped you keep that resolution?
If you didn’t, what was the biggest obstacle that prevented you from following through?
Now…fast forward to today.
What is your New Year’s resolution for this year? Even if you don’t have one, what is something you would like to improve on this year?
Let me narrow things down a little more. What is your spiritual resolution for 2010?
When I say spiritual, don’t necessarily think it has to be some lofty, “churchy” thing. Sure, you could say something like read your Bible more or pray more. But it could be something much more earthy. And it probably needs to be a little more concrete than “I will ______ more.” Here are a few ideas:
• I commit to reading a chapter of the Bible with my family three times a week.
• I commit to helping my elderly neighbor by shoveling her snow and mowing her lawn for free.
• I commit to going to Cass Park every month.
• I commit to serving in the Children’s Ministry for at least three months this year.
• I commit to giving 10% of what I earn to the church and it’s ministries. (This includes for students with jobs. It’s good to develop habits early.)
• I commit to praying with my family once a week, including a time to pray for each other.
These are just a few ideas consider.
Let me challenge you to take this a step further. Plan a time as a family to sit down and share your resolutions with each other. Find ways to hold each other accountable and encourage each other. Write these down and post them somewhere in the house. (It doesn’t have to be public where visitors see.)
Take time as a family to develop a plan for growing spiritual both individually and collectively. You might be amazed what God can do.

shine!
Jason