The New Year is often a time when people make resolutions: resolutions to read more, exercise, eat better, have a more positive attitude, etc. If you are anything like me, my resolutions are rarely kept through the end of the year, let alone the end of the first few months. We are not the minority. According to statistics, a staggering number of people also have a hard time following through on New Year’s Resolutions. Our tendency is to get distracted.
My husband, Brian, and I have a black lab puppy, Lilly. I use the word “puppy” loosely as she is now nearly three years old and weighs 60+ pounds. She still acts like a puppy though. Despite my many hours of training, when we take her walking, her tendency is to stiff everything in close proximity—and even that which is not close. She gets distracted. For a brief moment, whatever catches her nose captures her attention and causes her to forget that she should be walking obediently with me, free to sniff, but within reason—and range. Too often, it’s not until I pull a treat out and remind her of my presence that she remembers what she ought to be doing.
We are not unlike Lilly in that we too get distracted. There are “smells” and other temptations that distract us from our well-intended resolutions. I don’t know about you, but I can say the same of my relationship with God at times. God knows that we are not perfect people and that we will be distracted by the things of this world. Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven by grace when we mess up and get distracted. Let us resolve this year to set our eyes on God; to recognize distractions and to remember that they are temporary. Let us not be discouraged when we do mess up for we know that Christ has paved the way for redemption and second (or more) chances. Let us approach the throne of Christ with humility and walk in step with Him in this New Year. Finally, let us remember that we are to serve as lights in this world; a beacon for others who have also gotten distracted. Psalm 25:4-5 says, “4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” May you and your families be blessed in 2015!
