Revolution or Resolution? No, Revelation!

I’m not sure that I want to make any New Year’s Resolutions this year. I know it is a good time to rethink how our lives are going and how we are doing in reaching our dreams and goals, but I think it may be a good idea to skip it. On the other hand, maybe I could do like so many of us and Revolutionize my life in one “easy” week! I could make my list and check it twice and include all of those things that I would like to do and be that have been heretofore impossible. That’s what I need!! A Revolution!!

Reality check!! How many resolutions have I made that I have actually kept throughout the year? How many have I even remembered for a whole year? Maybe writing them down would help me to remember, but then I’d have to follow them.

Well, okay. Here it goes:

1. I’d like to revolutionize my appearance by losing 30 lbs. this year.
Instead, I’ll resolve to do some kind of exercise that I enjoy at least 3 times per week.

2. I’d like to revolutionize my spiritual life by reading through the Bible in a year.
Instead, I’ll resolve to read at least a chapter in God’s word every day of the workweek.

3. I’d like to revolutionize my health by eating a pure diet with no processed food or fat.
Instead, I’ll resolve to eat some raw fruit and a big green salad every day.

4. I’d like to revolutionize my home by organizing every nook and cranny of my living space.
Instead, I’ll resolve to try to organize one little space at a time and find a place right away for any new things I acquire.

5. I’d like to revolutionize my marriage by never fighting with my husband again.
Instead, I’ll resolve to fight less and try to listen more each time we have a disagreement.

6. I’d like to revolutionize my relationship with Adrian by never arguing with him again.
Instead, I’ll resolve to try to have a heart of humility and admit when I am wrong without continuing the argument.

7. I’d like to revolutionize my relationships with everyone around me by loving at all times.
Instead, I’ll resolve to trust in God more and hide a little less as I walk each day toward more authentic relationships with those around me.

8. I’d like to revolutionize my relationship with God by trusting Him completely – at all times.
Instead, I’ll resolve to try to trust Him more and pray when I don’t so that He can give me the trust that I need.

9. I’d like to revolutionize my finances by making sure I know what happens to every penny.
Instead, I’ll resolve to spend my money more wisely and try to learn ways to be a better steward.

10. I’d like to revolutionize my intellect by getting a degree in Constitutional Law.
Instead, I’ll resolve to try to learn something new every day and look into enrolling in some college classes online.

11. I’d like to revolutionize my world by doing and saying all the right things at the right times.
Instead, I’ll resolve to ask God each day to help me put on the mind of Christ and let Him revolutionize the world.

I have come to realize over the last few years, that revolutionizing my life is fruitless. It is somewhat like the Hare and the Turtle. The Hare begins fast and poops out before he reaches his goal; whereas, the Turtle plods along slowly but steadily and eventually reaches his goal.

In my efforts to revolutionize my health, family, spirituality, etc., I have come out of the chute with a bang and fallen face first half way around the track. This was mostly because I was relying upon my own efforts and my own performance. We all know that our own efforts, strength, performance and fortitude fall far short of where God wants take us, so what do we do?

A Revelation.

My conclusion is this: God must do the revolutionizing and I must do the resolving. I must resolve to look to Him daily. I must resolve to obey Him in the little everyday things of life. I must resolve to plod steadily along the path toward the cross even if I see no destination and feel no progress. I must resolve to trust Him to do His work in me His way.

Although, I will try to do the things I’ve listed above, I will also try to let go and let God revolutionize my life for His purpose. I probably won’t even realize it’s going on. But, someday, when I stand before His throne, I want to hear “Thank you for keeping your eyes on Me. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Pro 3:5 - 8 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

May we learn to allow Him to do what He will with our lives. May we learn to leave the revolution to Him as we resolve to trust and obey.