Are you ready for a Happy New Year?

What are you planning to do for the rest of the year?

Every new year, people talk about doing something new and different.  It is usually loosing weight or doing something that they would not normally do.  The interesting thing about this is the failure rate.  I read that the failure of New Year resolutions is 97% in the first 30 days.  Why do you think that is?

Personally, in the past, when I resolved to loose weight or wanted to focus on something specific, it had to be a decision that I believed in.

I recently lost about 55 pounds.  To do this, I had to focus on what I ate, the way I exercised, and I had to know that the benefits out weighed the pain.  People say they can’t loose weight; but if they knew what to avoid, stayed focused, and put a plan together to look at the results, I believe that  more people would be successful.

Weight is one thing, but I think the most important thing is your focus on who you are and how you are going to be known.  If you establish this, as well as understand the consequences of who you are, I truly believe it shapes you into what you can be and how God can use you.

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15 (NIV)

Joshua said this to a group when it appeared they were turning from God.  Joshua put a line in the sand and his resolve was for him and his house to serve God.  Based on what I have read, he did it and was known for being this type of person.

This past week, I read Steve Jobs’ autobiography.  Wow, what an impact this man left on the world!  However,  about 90% of his book told of how he was a master manipulator, could not get along with people, and when a women ended up pregnant, he seemed to disown her and really didn’t mind if  she got an abortion.  This book made me think about how inhumane the corporate world is. When it is all said and done, choosing this type of life causes one to end up as nothing.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Speaking about myself, I would say that I have been more like Steve Jobs rather than Joshua.  I have not been as successful as Steve, but I have tried to store up stuff that will be destroyed.

So, what is your resolve this year?  Are you going to focus on earthly or heavenly treasures? Are you going to have your actions match what you really believe?  Are you going to put a line in the sand and understand the overall impact of your decision so that you can keep it?