Copyright © 2010

South Whitley United Methodist Church

January, 2009

It’s a new year and a chance for new beginnings and new endings.  Many have made resolves to lay old habits aside and take up new.  According to a study of 3,000 participants by Richard Wiseman and published in his book Quirckology: the curious science of everyday lives, only 12% of those resolutions made where kept.  To be honest, I was surprised at how high it was.  I suppose I only have my own failed experiences to go by and, perhaps, that has made me overly cynical concerning New Year’s resolutions.  But what I found most helpful in Wiseman’s study was this fact:

… an extra 22% of men achieved their resolution when they engaged in goal setting, and women were almost 10% more likely to be successful when encouraged to persist in the face of setbacks.

Men who set small measurable goals and women who shared their resolution with others both achieved higher rates of success.  Our faith walk is not so different.  When we declare, “I’m going to do my devotions everyday,” then two weeks later discover we have already missed four days, something has failed.   Wiseman’s study reveals human nature and our need to have check points along the way and cheerleaders on our side.  Who would enjoy a football game with no first downs, teams would just have four downs to score with no small measurable goals along the way?  Sure some touchdowns might be made without first downs and sure some teams might find the inner strength to carry on, but let’s be honest, something would be missing! 

We need attainable goals and accountability.  Many people set unrealistic goals for themselves then wonder why they fail.  We look at the daunting task of walking with and like Jesus and give up before we start because no one is there to be accountable to.  This New Years make a resolve that matters.  Resolve to walk closer with Jesus.  But do more than this, set attainable goals and let someone know about them—someone you trust to be honest and encouraging. 

Goals you might set:

Begin each day with a five minute devotional.  Not earth shattering I know but when we plunge in too deep we get discouraged fast.  This is a simple and attainable goal.   

Pledge when you wake and before bedtime at days end.  Start with simple short prayers.  Don’t make it a burden.  Once you have experienced the power of prayer a time or two trust me you will grow in your prayer life.  But for starters take it easy and offer a simple prayer of thanks.

Read a paragraph of the Bible a day. I don’t care if you understand it or not.  The Word understands you.  Pick a book like the Gospel of Mark or Romans and simply read a paragraph.  Or even read a Psalm a day.  Or kill two birds with one stone and pray a Psalm at morning and at night.  You will be surprised at the big difference a little time in the Word will make.

But start somewhere and tell someone.  You’ll have prepared yourself for success.  Psalm 37:5-6, reads “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

These simple steps will draw you closer to realizing this passage for your own life.  That’s a resolution worth keeping.

 

Further Up and Further In,

Pastor Rob