It is the 4th of January and so often the topics of conversation this time of year center around the New Year’s Resolution. I don’t remember the last time I made one. A few days ago, my son reminded me that several years ago we made a resolution together to not drink soda for the year. I vaguely remember him calling me in October to tell me he had failed and had enjoyed a soft drink that day. My brain stumbled around a bit to even recall that we had agreed to do that together. My hesitation to respond spoke volumes over that wireless connection.
“Mom?”
“Yes, I am here.”
“When?”
He laughed. I laughed. “You mean I could have had a soda in February?!?”
“Probably sooner than that!”
When we near the end of the year and start to analyze our past year and our hopes for the new year, there is a pressure to fix our flaws through our own sheer will-power – of which, I have none. The resolution is a human promise to do better. I, in myself, don’t have that determination.
A 365-day plan is more than I can wrap my head around. I mean, sure, I have things that I would like to accomplish in the year, I set goals, but to say that I can promise to fix something in myself in that mindset is beyond me. I am a ‘one day at a time’ kinda girl and I am eternally grateful to serve a faithful God who sees this flawed daughter in a new light each morning.
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
Don’t take the same old habits, fatigue, and struggles and try to fit them into a new calendar. It won’t take long for the will-power to wane and the then you will feel like you failed the whole year. Instead, change your perspective to a daily devotion to the One who makes us new. God doesn’t operate on a yearly quota of grace, he grants grace daily.
Sometimes we aren’t looking at a happy new year. We may be looking at a mess – around us or in us. But God’s mercy isn’t stale. It is fresh and new and is ever flowing and continuously renewing.
A resolution relies on our discipline. Renewal relies on His spirit.
Resolutions focus on the year ahead. Renewal focuses on today.
Resolutions create guilt when you fail. Renewal reminds of his unfailing love.
Instead of committing to reading the entire Bible in a year, ask the Lord to speak to you through one verse today. Instead of feeling the failure of messing up your diet, realize that choice is over and accept his mercy for the next meal. Rather than feeling like you have to change your patterns for a lifetime, pray to be faithful in this one moment.
When you fall short, you don’t have to wait until January – or even Monday – to start over. The steadfast love of the Lord is waiting for you in the morning.
Lord, help us to understand your grace. Thank you for your daily faithfulness. Help us to not resolve to be perfect in our own eyes, but to simply resolve to daily walk with you. Give us strength and wisdom for this 24 hours. Amen.