But I often find that my list of resolutions each year can become burdensome ... bearing guilt instead of accountability, considering the perfectionistic nature which I have. Causing bouts of doubts in my faith and walk with the Lord. Dragging me down with reminders of what I am unable to change by myself, as I so often try to do. And as much as I love a list, I can hardly stand even a smidge of it to remain UNchecked!
This result throughout and at the end of each year is clearly is not God's plan for me - His is to bless me and not to harm me; for me to seek Him with all my heart.
Since this is the way I have been wonderfully made, I think that this year I will make my so-called 'list of resolutions' out of scripture instead and post them on my kitchen cabinets to remind and encourage and remain in my heart & mind. In this sense, I know that I will NOT be attempting to change myself and thus NONE of them will get a nice little checkmark. And in this little way, I am hoping to allow the Spirit to more freely move in my life and grow me into all the things that a "list" of personal resolutions would instead have me trying to accomplish of my own strength! Sound like a plan to you?
So here they are:
*"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Tim. 1:5
*"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery" Gal. 5:1 (I am no longer in bondage to food, anger, yelling, pride, controllingness, laziness...)
*"But seek first first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt. 6:33-34 (Heaven knows how I worry & fret & get distracted away from God!)
*"Let no unwholesome word proceed from our mouth, but only such a word as is good for the dification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear it. Do not grieve the Holy Sprit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Eph. 4:29-30 (I have great difficulty using my words properly with my family)
*"Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better'" Luke 10:41-42 (All you Marthas out there know exactly why this one is on the list!)
*"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." John 6:63 (My flesh cannot change me - only the Spirit can give me life and give it abundantly!)
*"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16b (I should always remember to pray more often and sincerely)
4 comments:
I love your list. Happy New Year, Andrea. I thankful for you and the encouragement you bring to my life and family.
I love the list! Great idea...especially for another someone who really, really likes lists and checking things off! This is a much better way to focus the heart.
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
I might have to borrow your list. : ) I have resisted the idea of resolutions the past few years, but this year I really felt like I need to make a list again. But instead of a list for the year, I've made up a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days (something I've seen on a few other blogs). It was helpful for me to get a big picture of the things I'd like to get done over the next 2 1/2 years, things that would have never made a short term list in the first place. But I agree that our focus needs to be first on God, and I just love the specific verses you chose to do that.
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