Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
I think the idea and the commitment that come with new years resolutions are physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. The pressure we put on ourselves to choose one or two, then to actually carry them out...exercise every day, eat right, read more, clean more, right our wrongs...Not that these in any way are a bad thing, but sometimes we can become so wrapped up in them that in a way, we loose our self and what our focus should really be on.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I put my entire heart into whatever I do, from the menial task of cleaning the house, to my job in the media center that I attempt to put 110% into on a daily basis. If an idea comes across my mind and I think it's great but know I wouldn't be able to give it 100%, I have to put it out of my mind, and over time have actually learned to say the word no, even though I still struggle with that. When I fail at anything I repeatedly beat myself up over it. Over the course of my time off work I've been praying a lot and doing a bit of soul searching, and asking the question, what is it, we as humans, should have as our main priority. Well obviously, our priority is to glorify God and walk closer with him each day...Unfortunately at times, that is easier said than done.
This year instead of making a resolution, I want to make a commitment (I know - in some context they are the same) to myself, and to God. In 2011 I want to fall hopelessly in love with Jesus who loved me enough to die for me. I want him to be my focus everywhere, and in every relationship that I have. In my heart, I truly believe that if this is what I strive for, everything else will fall into place. Relationships that seem to be tatterred will mend, frustrations that seem to knock me off my path will fade away, and the disappointment I have in myself will turn into Hope through the love of Jesus. There will still be days when I am tempted by Satan to gossip, or to be lazy when things need to be done, but little by little I will get there.
Today, I am thankful for a fresh start. Today, I am thankful that years ago, God washed me, and made me as white as snow, and gives me the opportunity to do that again on a daily basis by simply asking.