2 Simple Resolutions

In my last article I talked about how we tend to make our new year resolutions based off what we want rather than what God wants for our lives. We like to ask God about the particulars for our lives before we actually follow through with His general will for all Christians to follow. I truly believe that if we follow God in His general will for our lives, He WILL make the particulars not only known but the other areas of our lives that need the work to workout on their own.

So here is my solution, how about instead of making these high standards for ourselves with these resolutions we end up dropping by February, we keep is SIMPLE! (Ahhhh… simple….) Here are the 2 things I would do to make your resolutions simple, attainable and much more satisfying in the long run:

1. Love God
DUH LEAH! But seriously!! How many of us would honestly, truly say that we make it a goal to truly love God more? And not by trying to do more, but to enjoy more of God? I can say that I honestly try to please God more through doing what He asks out of obligation then doing things to know that I get to enjoy Him more. What about you? Can you say that you honestly seek to love God more? Are you doing things to appease God or to enjoy and please Him?

2. Share the Gospel
Wait wait wait, Leah. Second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. Yeah, and what do you have that your neighbor may not? JESUS! That’s a big deal!! Most people walk around believing that they are living out God’s will by not sharing the most important thing that has EVER happened to them because it’s not their spiritual gift or because they are waiting for an opportunity or [insert excuse here].

I say this bluntly, sisters, because I have lived behind my comfort zone too many times and have missed out on so much joy and understanding for what God really had in store for me. This year, more than ever, God has shown me through Philemon 6 a deep, spiritual truth that is a huge proponent to me sharing this:

“…and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.”

When we share the truth of Jesus Christ with others – that He died to take care of all of our wrongs, and rose to conquer death itself – we understand more of all the good things we have in Christ. Like this verse says, we become more effective in the knowledge of every good thing – like what we read in scripture, how to live out our daily life, how to take care of ourselves, etc. And I truly believe that when we share the gospel with others (whether friends, family, foes or strangers) we simply love God more. A refreshing cycle occurs where we love God more, which makes us share more, which makes us love God more…. and I when we are in this refreshing cycle spurred by loving God, everything else falls into place because we’re keeping The Main Thing (Jesus) the main thing.

Dear Lord Jesus, I admit I suck at loving you! I admit that I often want to do things my own way and want to fit you into my plans rather than have me conform to yours. I pray that you will make the change happen in my life. That you will produce the fruit that needs to come from me instead of me striving to be a better person. I pray that you will help me step out in faith to trust you so I can simply love you and share the truth of Your love with other. In Your Name I pray…

About Leah

Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 
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