Lose weight. Work out. Be patient. Act kind. Grow closer to God. Stop a bad habit. Is it possible to actually keep your New Year resolutions?
We all want to be better, act better and do better – but often our well-intentioned resolutions – end up as New Year illusions, leaving us tied up in confusion. We wonder where we went wrong? How we dropped the ball?
Many times, it’s easier to altogether avoid New Year claims then to deal with the fear of their pending shame.
But, Christ doesn’t model stagnant living.
And, he certainly doesn’t call us to avoid improving because we fear losing.
So, how can we truly change?
In my mind, I want to change, but my heart fears that I can’t. I fear I’ll drop the ball. I fear that my dreams will become just that – dreams – unattainable distant images. So I raise a wall of indifference out of fear that I’ll let both God and myself down down.
As always, the Lord doesn’t remain silent when truth needs to be grasped. And, in his always-faithful way, he answers saying, “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.” (Is. 28:16)
And, it’s just this cornerstone that makes all the difference. It’s this stone that holds it all together. It’s the foundation. The stone that prevents everything from falling.
It’s the stone that holds me together. It’s the stone that will be my foundation. It’s the stone that cements all resolutions. The one that allows the entire structure to stand firm. The one that we can build upon safely. The cornerstone – Christ Jesus.
What is the foundation of your resolutions? Is it your own work? Your own might? Your own strength?
Or, do you rely on the stone that will never let you be put to shame (1 Peter 2:6)?
The stone that let’s hard work stand.
Because the truth is, without Christ, all resolutions disintegrate.
By ourselves, we will crack, chip and crumble.
In our own strength, we’ll build foundations of quicksand.
Quicksand that will swallow up all our well-intentioned efforts.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3:11)
Many of my own works, desires and New Year pursuits have been built on my own goals, ideas and dreams – rather than the foundation of the Lord. In this, they were almost all destined to fail.
Build your Resolutions Upon a Firm Foundation
This year, my resolutions will be built upon a firm foundation. A foundation that is completely reliant on the chief cornerstone. A foundation of intentions that are derived from him, focused on him and rooted in my trust of him.
Because if they aren’t – all resolutions will quake to the floor – and the only resolution that I will be left with is a resolution to clean up a mess of well-intentioned goals.
Christ changes it all though. With Christ as a foundation, our buildings are secure, established and indestructible. Yet, without him, our work is in vain.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Ps. 127:1)
- We can safely build upon the cornerstone, by seeking the will of the cornerstone – Christ Jesus – in our lives.
- We can safely build upon the cornerstone by submitting ourselves to his work.
- We can safely build upon the cornerstone by asking for his help daily.
- We can safely build upon the cornerstone by embracing his grace when we start to slip.
Then, at the end of the day – when we gaze at the Lord’s work, we will marvel at it’s beauty. Rightfully and naturally, all glory and honor will go to him – the master carpenter, who builds in perfection.
It won’t be vain or about our glory – or our demise – but it will be all about the ultimate builder. The one who builds beauty, holiness and eternal structures of significance.
Kelly- This is so powerful and packed with truth. And these lines really get me thinking: “Many of my own works, desires and New Year pursuits have been built on my own goals, ideas and dreams – rather than the foundation of the Lord. In this, they were almost all destined to fail.” Thank you for sharing your wisdom here.
Honestly, I’ve never been much of a New Year’s resolute-er. This year will find me beginning a fast that shall last for 21 days. There are some places in my life that I need to see God’s hand move over, and I am calling myself to a fast. This will be a fast of two things that I intensely crave on a daily basis~~~meat and sugar. I’m craving them right now just thinking about it!! I’m so thankful that God calls us to prayer and fasting, AND that He moves in response to it. I’m so eager to see Him at work during January. Blessing to you, Kelly!
Leah, wow I applaud you for taking this step to fast and pray. It will be hard, but it will surely point your eyes to Christ as you see him in a new way. I know you can do it. I can’t wait to hear how the Lord speaks to you. Meat and sugar are certainly 2 of my most favorite things. I am praying that God blesses your time with him.
Thanks Kelly. I’m sure I will be writing about what the Lord teaches me! Happy New Year.
Making New Year’s resolutions that are aligned with God’s will are worth consideration. The #1 New Year’s resolution is weight loss. This is not a vain thing. This is the voice and the motivation of the Holy Spirit in our lives to correct the unrighteous path we have pursued. It is God’s will that every Believer live at their ideal body weight through obedience to His Word concerning diet and health. The Church has failed to realize, or acknowledge, the fact that the Bible is the greatest diet, health, weight loss, and lifespan-increasing book ever written.
Hi Michael, I agree. Losing weight is not an ungodly resolution. The Lord calls us to treat our bodies as holy temples. Thank you for commenting on this point.
This is wonderful Kelly! I love your practical 4 bullet points at the end of how we can build upon the cornerstone. I have a lot I want to do and I do not want to do it in my own strength. Thank you Jesus for being the cornerstone! Thank you for another wonderful chance to linkup! 🙂
You bet Ruth! I am glad you liked the action items that get practical. I never like being left without an idea of where to go. Thank you so much for joining the linkup. It is so much fun to do this!
Thank you again, Kelly, for writing yet another timely piece. For a few years now, I have put aside the notion of setting resolutions. Though I know it is through Him that I can do all things, sometimes I tend to plan things out like I am in it on my own. As another new year approaches, I am looking forward to going the distance being reminded that keeping Him in the forefront will enable me to go the distance every time. So blessed He is my Chief Cornerstone. I needed that reminder as I embark upon all that He has laid on my heart to accomplish, beginning in 2015.
Yolanda, he will help you; he will guide you; he will love you; he will lift you. He will not let you fall. I am excited to see what this year holds for you!
Such encouraging words, Kelly! I especially loved this…
“Then, at the end of the day – when we gaze at the Lord’s work, we will marvel at it’s beauty. Rightfully and naturally, all glory and honor will go to him – the master carpenter, who builds in perfection.”
Allowing Him to work and build in my life alleviates my need to do it all myself. I can yield and follow and watch what He does.
Thank you sweet friend for always speaking words of light and shining for Jesus.
#raralinkup
You bet Renee! This whole thing is such a joy. I love how you put it about God building so we don’t have to. Amen to that! It takes so much pressure off, right? Sending you much love for the New Year!
Kelly, I love this post! Thank you for your encouragement to continue to “Walk by Faith” because we never know what He has in store for us! Many blessings to you and yours! Mindy