Making Decisions for 2024

 

I have heard people say that they do not like to call them “New Year Resolutions,” but a “To-Do List” for the new year. I am sure we can all agree that we are great at making resolutions, but we are horrible at following through with them.

Decision-making is easy. It is easy to start a new diet. It is easy to decide to pay off all of one’s loans. Once we have de­cided to put our hand to something, that is the easy part. What is not always easy is following through with your decision.

Most to-do lists revolve around wanting to eliminate a bad habit in our life or the desire to form a new, healthier habit. It is said that most habits are formed during constant practice of a certain task over 28 days. To eliminate that same habit from one’s life takes 30 days. Why the two extra days? After making the decision to change or eliminate a habit it takes two days to convince oneself that you can and must do it and after 28 more days success will be a new part of your life. Stick to it – You can do it!

Likewise, it is easy to start one’s jour­ney to follow Jesus the Messiah. May I be so bold to suggest that following Jesus must become a habit in your life? If you truly believe that Christ offers a better, healthier way of living to you then He must become a part of your life and one must be obedient to His teaching of how to live by studying God’s Word and fellowshipping with God’s people. If one is going to be successful at following Je­sus, we need to heed Jesus’ stern warning about counting the cost. It is foolhardy not to calculate the cost before pursuing any endeavor. Jesus said that following him meant certain hardship. He said, “If you do not bear your cross and come after me, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). I not only encourage you this new year to start your journey with Jesus, but also to follow through with your convictions. Start; Stick to it – You can do it! Need help? Let me encourage you to go to WVBS.org (World Video Bible School) for thousands of videos, Bible only, lessons on history and Christian living.

Before we plan for 2024, can we look back at 2023? We apply this strategy with most anything in our lives. It would be­hoove us to apply this to our spiritual lives as well.

Let’s Review! 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” We should be mindful of the world when it comes to entertainment, our relationships, our goals, and anything that competes for space in our lives. Look­ing back, have we given in to temptation and moved God to second place?

Let’s Reflect! 1 John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.” What do we see when we turn­around and replay 2023? Did our goals, our desires, and ambitions cloud our walk with Christ?

Let’s Reset! Titus 1:2 says in hope of eternal life which God who cannot lie, promised before time began. We can’t change what’s happened, but we can change what happens next! Summarizing our year should cause us to examine our life. God has promised us eternal life. Are we going to allow our past choices to di­minish our eternal hope? 2024 - With God’s peace and love, who needs anything more? (2 Peter 3:10-18).