Today with the glow of the joy and peace of Christ’s birth, we prepare to ring in the new year – 2020 is upon us. We pivot from the goodness of humanity into the challenges and brokenness of daily life. Some are starting new jobs, new lives together, and new families, while others struggle with managing what is already on their plate. Many consider the age-old tradition of making New Year’s resolutions.

New Year’s resolutions from earliest times were faith-based and revolved around the promise to be a better person in the year ahead. Today, fifty percent of the top ten resolutions are about losing weight, cutting back on smoking and drinking, and saving money. Somewhere at the bottom of the list is spending more time with family and friends and volunteering.

This year I would like to boldly suggest we create a new page in that playbook. There is one New Year’s resolution we can make which will cover all of the above and far more than we can even imagine. What if we made one simple resolution to rejoice in God’s presence in our lives and to draw closer to the Lord in 2020? Start each day – NOT by checking your cell phone – but with a prayer of thanks and a request that the Lord fill you with His Spirit to overflowing so that your every thought, word and work will give Him glory.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)

You’re off to a great start. Now that you have the Lord working with you, every time you have to make a decision – any decision – pause for a nanosecond and ask for HIS opinion. In my experience it’s possible He prefers the mocha latte! And every time you mess up – curse or cut someone off – be sorry and ask the Lord to forgive you. I promise this will be the best New Year’s resolution you can make and one that will only make your life better day after day, year after year. After a while you will find yourself turning to the Lord for everything and isn’t that exactly the relationship He seeks to have with us?

There are so many things we need and want, but as James says, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17) The Son of God is here. He has stepped into our lives and waits for us to accept Him. So, set aside the needs and wants to “First seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33 NIV)

God Bless you all and Happy New Year, Donna