A New Resolution: Failing yearly & caring lessJoanna Callender - 19 Jan 2016

January can be a funny month. It always starts out with so much possibility and hope, before the reality of everyday life hits us again, and we forget that resolute optimism we started out with. 

I used to think that New Year’s resolutions were pesky promises which never amounted to anything. But when everyone around you is running more, eating less and taking up interesting new hobbies, it’s easy to get drawn in. 

But now the middle of January has come and gone, and generally at this time of year we fall into two camps. Either feeling pretty happy that you’ve managed to keep going with your resolution, or (like me, and most of us) a bit sad that nothing has really changed at all; perhaps you’ve lost a little bit of that New Year excitement and joy. 

But as the shininess of the fresh new year starts to lose its fresh new appeal, we can be assured that irrespective of our personal circumstances, God is constant. We operate on a different time line to God; our annual commitments to self improvement are usually, annually disposable. But the promises of God -  those inscribed into the pages of the Bible - always remain. Just as we might be starting to lose hope, right now is the perfect opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to the plans and purposes that God has for us. 

Of course, this sounds like a great idea; but the reality takes time. 

We can’t automatically adjust to this new way of thinking. Like any resolution, it takes a little discipline. However, building holy habits is a great investment for the months to come: 

“Rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

1 Timothy 4:7-9

Training for a run, cycle or swim is common; training for spiritual godliness sounds a little harder.

But they can be small steps. Holy habits might mean reading the Bible first thing instead of checking Twitter; or taking a walk in the middle of your work day to pray and realign yourself. Maybe it’s praying through the Lord’s Prayer once a day, or practising the discipline of reading the word (and if it’s that, we just so happen to have a pretty useful resource). 

Building holy habits is a challenge, but it’s a challenge to embrace. And within this challenge - within the struggle - know that God, the ultimate cheerleader, will be walking alongside you.

It’ll be the best resolution you’ll make this year.