New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s Reolutions

Have you created New Year’s Resolutions for 2023? And have already broken some of those resolutions?

 By mid-January, every year, I used to get frustrated with myself because I could not keep my resolutions. I am not alone, since studies show most people are unable to keep their resolutions for more than six months.

So, in 2020, I decided that I would not set yearly goals anymore. Instead, I started a daily goal and most importantly, Jesus was at the core. Many Christians ask themselves this question; “What would Jesus do?”   Instead, I ask myself this one; “What would Jesus have me do today?”  The answer is simple. Jesus asks us in Luke 9:23 to take up our cross daily and to follow him. To strive to be better today than we were yesterday.

But how do we take up His cross and follow Jesus daily? Before you check Instagram or Facebook, before you read emails and check headlines...seek Him first by reflecting on His Word. However, seeking Him first takes practice. And practice will make permanence over time. For me, subscribing to a daily devotional email is the simplest way to connect with Jesus first thing in the morning. Especially since checking my phone as soon as my eyes open is a daily habit. Jesus meets me where I am...on my phone. Here is one daily email devotional from Women of the ELCA if you would like to subscribe too:

https://www.womenoftheelca.org/blog/category/devotions

Gracious God, as we journey into this new year, help us to seek you first each day in your Word and to set a simple daily resolution by asking this question; What would Jesus have me do today? Amen.