New Year's resolutions come in all sizes and colors: I'm gonna lose weight; I'm gonna stop smoking; I'm gonna pray more; I'm gonna be nicer to the person that gets on my nerves. These comments have been going on for over 3000 years when the practice of New Year's Resolutions entered society, thanks to the ancient Babylonians. Funny, man has always wanted to do more, be better, and think nicer.
Perhaps many of you have already decided on how you plan on improving your "earth walk" with Christ in 2010. Likely if your new desire is not grounded in God's will and empowered by His holy combustion power, it will lose its steam about February 5th ; then, the only memory you'll have of your once "handful of confetti bits packed with good intentions" are stale words recorded in the January entry of your journal.
So what have I chosen as my resolution for 2010? Actually the word resolution is a noun, the name of a person, place or a thing. I've decided I don't need a resolution (a noun) as much as a resolve (a verb), that is, I need to ask the Spirit to stimulate in me a continual 24 hour inner determination for a new pursuit: an increase in godliness. Godliness, godliness, godliness. I have the word plastered on post-it-notes all over my house right now.
Paul gave us a wise admonition. For your "New Year's resolution" he said it was ok to desire a healthier body, but there was something far greater:
1 Timothy 4:8 - For physical training is of some value, but godliness is profitable for all things, holding promises for both the present life and the life to come.
Godliness? Hmmm, what is that? The Greek word for godliness means to produce the characteristics of God Himself. "What are those characteristics?" I wondered. The Lord responded, "To see My traits, look at Jesus' life."
So I did. Here's what the Spirit showed me about practical godliness.
You never see Jesus:
- starting His day without an early morning conversation with His Father
- running or in a hurry
- more concerned about legalism than the grace He was about to offer
- saying a negative word about His fellow brothers of the faith
- overly focused on himself
- worried or unsettled
- doubting His Father's good plans (even though Christ had to suffer on this earth)
- missing an opportunity to help the underdog
- faltering in the practice of His earthly purpose
- taking His eyes off of eternity even though he had to remain an earthling
I guess that's godliness. Looks like the Holy Spirit's got his work cut out in working with me in 2010! How about you?
Blessings to all for a God-honoring 2010!
A fellow daughter of the King,
Pam
