New Year Resolutions

 

It’s a new year already, and while we may be amazed at the fleeting nature of 2025, most of us, once again, are making new year resolutions. My list looks terribly familiar. In fact, it is similar to the list I made last year. It’s a new year, so why not look at things in a new way?

What if I tossed out every resolution and started over? Perhaps I should start each day with something new and different. I could write one thing each day for which I am grateful. Tomorrow, perhaps the goal will be to notice the natural world around me, like the trees dancing in the wind or the muted hues of the winter sun. Each new day offers something new.

The possibilities are endless. You could sort through a box of photographs. You might intentionally notice you’re breathing and feel the restorative power of a deep breath. You might pray for a friend. You could work a crossword puzzle. It is possible to do one new thing every day. At the very least, you can make the attempt - and that counts.

Perhaps you could keep a journal of each day’s new thing. But a list of resolutions? I tend to repeat the same ones. Starting every day with something new, however, is an intriguing idea and for that I am grateful. And there’s not much more importance in life than gratitude. —Melanie Silva

[Hebrews 11:6] Our highest aim in life should be that of “pleasing god.” How do we do this? “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Faith is more than intellectual consent that God exists. It is truly believing in God, trusting Him fully and then obeying His commands. Note both words “faith” and “believe” occur in the passage, one being a noun and the other a verb. What does “faith” do? How does “believing” act? FAITH is a lifestyle. “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38). Both Enoch and Noah “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24; 6”9). A way of life for them. FAITH obeys God. It is impossible to claim to have a saving faith without carefully obeying God. A FAITH that does not obey is no faith at all. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). FAITH makes right decisions, even choosing suffering over treasures. “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…” (Hebrews 11:24-25). Finally, our FAITH will be counted as righteousness (Romans 4:22). How wonderful it is to please God by living and walking in FAITH!

Wouldn’t this old world be better if folks we met would say, “I know something good about you!” And then treat us just that way? Wouldn’t it be fine and dandy, if each handclasp, warm and true, carried with it this assurance, “I know something good about you?” Wouldn’t life be lots happier, if the good that’s in us all were the only thing about us that folks bothered to recall? Wouldn’t it be nice to practice that fine way of thinking, too; You know something good about me; I know something good about you?

God of us all, as we stand on the threshold of a new year, keep us mindful that no matter where our year takes us, you are with us. For the gift of life and new beginnings, we offer our thanks! Amen.

May you and God become a glorious mix in 2026 on the Road To Forever together.