New Year, New Resolution!

Another year is upon us. It is a time to set new goals and reflect the passing year. I have been doing a lot of reflection lately it seems.  This year has been over all a great year with lots of change. First of all, for the first time in my history, I actually completed last years resolution!!! Last year my husband, my best friend, and I, set a New Years resolution to quit smoking.  This had been my New Year's resolution for probably the last 8 or so years. I always started out with good intentions but never would make it very long.  This time I didnt begin strong on the 2nd, instead I put it off and finally on the 22nd put on the patch and finished strong.  I quit using the patch and it worked! Praise God I can report almost a year later that all three of us are non smokers now!!  Quitting smoking has always been an impossible task it seemed.  Everyone laughed at me last year for attempting another time to kick the habit, but this time by Gods grace I did it! And boy does it feel good.  I no longer stink.  I have money, and I can run up my stairs! Wooohooo, I am glad to be done with that dirty habit.

As happy as I am that I finally was successful at a New Years resolution it does pose a new problem, what in the world will this years goal be?? This time I had to come up with a new one and I had no clue what that would be.  I took the question to God.  What does He want me to work on this year?  His opinion is the one that matters.  I do not want to look at the world for goals, I want to look towards God.  He knows me better than anyone and knows what I need more than anything.  God being a faithful father answered me saying, "My child you are always so tired when I commanded you to rest.  Why don't you rest?"  

"Rest?? Really?  But God, I don't have time to rest" I argued back.  He then asked me when did His commandments become negotiable.  Hmmm, I never looked at it like that.  Keeping the Sabbath day holy was such an old testament concept I thought.  Don't misunderstand me, I know we are no longer under the law but now under grace but that also doesn't mean the law is not valid anymore.  The law is still valid and commanded today just as it was then, praise God we now have Grace for when we will fail! The law pointed us to our need of a Savior. Jesus said he came to fulfill the Law not do away with it. I still try and keep all other commandments now God is reminding me to keep His day holy.  Honestly, with all the commandments this is one that seems easiest, do-able, and most enjoyable, why don't I keep it? It pains me to say, but truthfully in my mind, I think the things I must get done are more important than Gods Holy commandment.  That is the plain ugly truth.  There is always something I need to do, somewhere I need to go, work that isn't finished, and so on. The last two years God showed me I needed to make sure and give Him time every day. Every day I need to feed my spirit with prayer and time in His word, this year God is asking for a entire day. When I look at ALL He has given me one day isn't asking much at all! And since He is God all knowing, He knows I am exhausted.  He knows I should be resting in Him.  Like any good parent puts their kids down for a nap I need to take one day and nap in my Fathers arms! All His commands were given for a reason and for our well being.  He knows this life can be tiring, hard, and draining at times so He commands rest.  

My New Years resolution this year is listening to God and keeping one day holy.  I heard a sermon on the radio about how to make sure you do all your cooking and cleaning etc the night before.  I am excited to give it a try and truly rest In Jesus on Sunday.  He is my father, my comfort, my Lord, and my friend.  I cant think of any other person I would rather devote a day to then Him.

God~

Thank you for being a caring father.  Thank you for loving me and adopting  me into your holy, righteous family.  Thank you for giving me your commands.  I know that you love me and they are best for me.  Lord you know what I need far above what I think I need.  Father, be with me this new year.  Help me honor you with all I do. Show me what this looks like keeping your day holy.  Lord help me grow deeper in love with you this year.  Thank you God for everything.

In Jesus precious name

Amen