New Years Resolutions

Here we are standing at the edge of the year 2011 and stepping into the New Year 2012. As I stand at the edge of the bridge to the new year,  I find myself reflecting on the past year. Each year, the week after Christmas I focus on praying in the new year asking the Lord to give me a fresh perspective, a refreshed outlook, and an eager expectant heart– expectantly waiting for the shift. You see I believe that healthy things grow and growing things change and because of this every new day, every new week, month, and year is a challenge to grow and specifically to grow closer to God.

New Year’s Resolutions

I dragged myself to spinning class today. I had to drag myself because the Christmas cookies I had eaten were weighing me down. I lOVE my spinning class because we spin to worship music and I close my eyes the whole time (not recommending this for outdoor cycling). The instructor gave a fresh perspective on New Years resolutions that I want to share with you. She said: ” We do not need to resolve to do anything. We do not need to solve anything again. Jesus Christ solved everything for us on the cross. Instead, we need to be refreshed, and replenished.” How true. And it through repentance, through the act of turning away from our sin and back to God, not through our strong will or strong resolve, that our lives are refreshed and ready to enter the new year. So here is my suggestion for the new year. Take time to retreat for an extended time with the Lord. Ask Him to show you any area of your life that needs to be recalibrated; any area of sin, any area of your life that has separated you from Him. Ask Him to forgive you and turn back to Him. That doesn’t require a resolution. That requires a tender humble heart. Then in the new year you can start on a clean page. And as you stand on the edge of the cliff of the new year you can leap over the edge with freedom– no baggage to take with you, only a refreshed spirit and a heart eager to draw near to Him. And for those of you who are interested in joining me for a spin check out  http://nmotionstudio.org/