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“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Romans 12:1
Becky’s Story, Age 12
January, 2012: I really don’t understand what’s so big about New Year’s Eve. Sure, I have fun going to family parties with my parents, but it mostly means remembering to write the new year at the top of my homework! Mom explained how some people use the New Year as a time to think about changes they want to make in their life. That sounded kind of fun, so I decided to give it a try!
My Dad gave me some good tips on making one. He said a resolution should: 1) be realistic, 2) focus on a positive change in my behavior, and 3) be something I can keep track of. I don’t want to mess up on my first one, so I’m starting small. Here goes! “I will put my dirty clothes in the hamper, and I will put my clean clothes away.”
January, 2013: I have to admit, there were a few times I got lazy and didn’t follow through, but most of the time I kept my dirty clothes off the floor and my clean ones in the closet.
Funny thing is, the longer I kept my room clean, the more I enjoyed having a clean room!
I made a change in my life and I liked what I saw! My parents liked what they saw, too! Having a New Year’s resolution is a pretty cool idea! Now for this year: “I will do one kind thing each week for my family.”
Conversation Starters
1. Talk about the significance of a New Year’s resolution. Choose a “family resolution” for this year.
2. Our lives are precious to God. Are there changes you can make to live a more pleasing life in God’s eyes?
Start each day with a “renewed” attitude of making choices that are in line with the kind of person God wants you to be.
An Adult Perspective
The whole idea of making a New Year’s resolution is pretty common, but I was curious to see what typically hit the top ten each year. There were no real surprises when these three popped up: lose weight, quit smoking, and stick to a budget. Yep, easy to see why these are popular. Each resolution is realistic and measurable, and would have a positive impact on a persons’ life. But there’s something missing.
Where are the Godly goals?
If our culture attempts to remove Christ from Christmas, are we also starting off the New Year with indifference to our Savior?
I dug a little deeper and researched the percentage of Americans who claim to be Christians. Internet polls place the percentage fairly high; anywhere from 76% to 81%. So if at least 75% of the population claims to be Christian, why aren’t Godly goals making the top ten? Maybe the answer is simple. Maybe we, as Christians, already have our Godly priorities in place so there’s no room for improvement. Or more likely, maybe we’re just not intentional about making God a priority each year. Be honest with yourself. Which is it for you?
I know my life would be more meaningful and significant if I always put Christ at the center of it. For me personally, I know small spiritual steps are the key to growing my faith. Romans 12:1 outlines a good action plan, so here goes: “I will start each day spending time together with God.”
Join me by committing to a Godly resolution.
Here are a couple ideas: start each day in prayerful thanksgiving, commit to reading the bible regularly, or make attending church a priority. In this New Year, strive to be more Christ-like “by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God.” 2 Peter 1:3 (MSG) I guarantee that if you do, others will notice and like what they see!
You don’t have to wait for the New Year to make positive changes in your life!
