By: Eu Hong Seng.
Why do many of us make New Year’s resolutions?
Why do we feel this need each January 1 to set new goals? Maybe it is because resolutions help us to identify our priorities. They answer the question: how do I want to invest my time, energy, money, and talents in this New Year? The New Year reminds us that time is passing and the time that remains for us to do what is important and needful is getting shorter. It is up to each of us to maximize the potential of every moment.
There is a tale of a talented and gifted bloodhound in England that started a hunt by chasing a full-grown male deer. During the chase a fox crossed his path, so he began now to chase the fox. A rabbit crossed his hunting path, so he began to chase the rabbit. After chasing the rabbit for a while, a tiny field mouse crossed his path, and he chased the mouse to the corner of a farmer’s barn. The bloodhound had begun the hunt chasing a prized male deer for his master and wound up barking at a tiny mouse.
When we do several different things at a time, moving in different directions it is unlikely that we will eventually accomplish anything worthwhile. And that is why we sometimes miss the great opportunities of life because we get sidetracked.
As we look ahead to another new year, I would like to suggest seven resolutions to help us stay on track.
1. WAKE UP
Prov 6:9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep — 11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. (NKJV)
We need to wake up and be diligent and productive and useful to the Master.
2. DRESS-UP
The Bible has much to say about how we ought to dress.
Put on the armor of light (Rom 13:12)
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh” (Rom 13:14)
Put on the new man (Eph 4:24, Col 3:10)
Put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:11)
Put on love (Col 3:14)
Put on a smile. It will improve your looks!
3. SHUT-UP
Pro 17:28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (NIV)
1 Pet 3:10 For “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. (NKJV)
Watch your tongue. Don’t gossip. Learn to listen. Be encouraging and affirming. Remember it’s in the “walking” and not the “talking” that God is pleased with.
4. STAND-UP
Mic 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?(NKJV)
Take a stand for what you believe. Resist evil. Do good. Don’t just bemoan the ills of the country, stand up and be counted.
5. LOOK-UP
Ps 121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. (NKJV)
Open your eyes to the Lord. He is our Savior, Guide and Strength. Even before day 1 of 2011, too many complain of “lack of energy” – why don’t we lift up our eyes?!
6. REACH-UP
Ps 63:1 O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. 3 Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. (NKJV)
Spend time in prayer with adorations, confessions, thanksgivings and supplications to the Lord.
7. LIFT-UP
Gal 5:13b …in love serve one another.(NKJV)
Gal 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (NKJV)
Be available to help those in need – serving, supporting, and sharing. Discard the “leech mentality” and begin to invest in souls in 2011!
And there we have it – the seven “Ups” for the new year.