So What is the New Year Good for?

I have explained that I have, well, a rebellious aversion to resolutions. So what is the New Year good for? Hmmm....I'm glad you asked.

First of all, it is an excellent time to start reading the Bible through. Most plans begin with Jan 1, so it makes sense. There are several plans to do this. Justin at Between Two Worlds has a thorough presentation with many options. Rest assured there is a plan for you!

It is a great time to spend a lot of time in prayer. Well, any time is a good time for that. Anyway, you know what I mean. Yesterday's verse of the day from Heartlight is a good example:

VERSE:
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against
the LORD.
-- Proverbs 21:30
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Proverbs+21:30

THOUGHT:
No matter how fresh the start nor how great the plans we have
made, if we do not walk with God, the coming year will not be a
spiritual success. As we receive this gift of a new year, let's
commit to serve the Lord. As we make plans for the coming days
ahead, let's make sure that those plans are made based on the
LORD's revealed will in Scripture and prayerful consideration of
what our God wants us to accomplish.

PRAYER:
God of the ages, my Father in heaven, thank you for being very
near as I start on a new year. Please help me know your will each
day. Bring the people into my life who will help me love you more,
serve you effectively, and bless others in meaningful ways. To you
be all the honor and glory in what I do, think, and say in the days
ahead. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

John Piper has an excellent post on What Should We Pray For as well. It is a list based on New Testament Prayers that he suggests we read through periodically. I think it is a wonderful suggestion.....

And, the New Year is the official end of the Holiday Season. It is time to get those Christmas decorations down, clean the house and prepare to get back to normal! I have to admit, I'm looking forward to getting back to a routine....with a little more reading and praying involved. And maybe more exercise. We'll see.

About those Resolutions.....

I have a bit of a different take on resolutions. I think I was a bit indoctrinated on this way of thinking by my daddy. I have always been a bit of an extreme thinker/perfectionist. So, when I have a fresh slate, I keep it perfect as long as I can, but when it isn't perfect anymore, well, it's not worth keeping. Somehow, I suspect I'm not the only one thinking this way, because of all we hear about New Year's resolutions. Then, we hear how very few of them actually stick. So, once we blow the diet, the exercise plan, the plan to be thankful in all things, whatever it may be, we give up!

Seeing this quality in me, my daddy started early on explaining that every day is a day for resolutions. I saw it in him when he quit smoking....not on New Year's Day, but on a random day mid-year! And it wasn't the Great American Smoke Out, either! And he explained that a day when we mess up isn't a total failure, just a set back. He almost had an aversion to making any sort of resolution on Jan 1. The rebellious part of me causes me to be that way as well. Far be it from me to do ANYTHING like the mainstream.

So, when I finally decided to read the Bible through in a year, I succeeded. It took two years, but I didn't stop. I kept plugging through. I learned a lot. And you know what? It was okay that it took two years.

When everyone is making all these plans for glorious change on Jan 1, I'm content to make it a day I relax. Because I can make those resolutions Jan 2, Feb 20, June 18, October 7 or any other day of the year. Every day is a day to take stock and make changes to improve yourself.

So, the holidays are over. Yes, I need to drop a few unwanted pounds. Yes, I would feel better if I exercised. So, I will work those things into the schedule. But no matter what, Jan 1 is the one day of the year I will eat what I want and refuse to exercise...unless I just want to.