Resolutely Resolved

So, I think I’ve shared in the past that I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions.. Too much pressure for me to try to maintain.. Often times, I feel like we hold ourselves and others to unrealistic, or maybe unreasonable expectations that leave us feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied.

Well, in my prayer time the other morning, I was led to the verse “…old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬b KJV‬‬

We’ve all heard the catchphrase: New Year, New Me! And may even be guilty of saying it.

We may even make New Year’s Resolutions annually. Some of which we remain committed to, some of which fizzle out after some time.. I don’t know?

However, while I was in prayer, I realized that rather than making New Year’s Resolutions, I needed to make End of the Year Resolutions. There were some things I needed to resolve that I had to be absolutely certain I would not take with me into the New Year. There were some attitudes and habits and situations that could not go with me not only into the New Year, but another day, but another moment. Not if I wanted to be the me, that Jesus has called me to be. Not if I wanted to be in the position that He wants me to be to do the work that He wants me to do. Not if I’m to move forward.

I understand David’s earnest heart cry when he prayed, Lord, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭51‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Because the transformation comes from the inside out. However, in order to “… be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of (our) mind(s), that (we) may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬ We must allow God to do the work. There must be a surrender, a laying down. Not everything, not even everyone in our current lives is meant to go with us where God is intending for us to go in our futures.

All I know is that if it’s not for me, I don’t want it. I’m making my own End of the Year Resolutions today and resolving that I won’t take anything that isn’t for me into the New Year. I have some attitudes that I have to let go of. Down south, they call it “some ways” that I refuse to take with me into another day. And I pray that God will continue to reveal all things within me that needs to be rooted out.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

*Original image by Yours Truly ☀️🌸