A New Year’s Resolution for 2009

Have you had time to think of New Year’s Resolutions or have you given up in attempting to keep New Year’s Resolutions? Have you thought about having a spiritual New Year’s Resolution? Can I encourage you to consider having a spiritual New Year’s Resolution?

The most important thing we can do is to get to know God more. Sit in His presence and listen to him. Often our prayer times can become a list of urgent prayer requests and little time left to just enjoy being with God. Women (and I would say men as well) have had this problem for quite some time.

Let’s look at two women in the Bible, Mary and Martha who were getting ready for a visit from Jesus. To revisit this story, read Luke 10:38-42. Martha is running around trying to get dinner ready for Jesus and Mary is just sitting at Jesus’ feet. Martha complains to Jesus that Mary should be helping. Now, this is the part I want you to hear – Jesus reply. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42.

If we all want to be honest we have Martha tendencies. We live in a Martha world. We have our never ending to do list. We have to get things done and we don’t have time to sit down and be quiet. Yet, Jesus said Mary chose the good portion and it would not be taken from her. Jesus is telling us we need to quit thinking all the stuff we do is most important. Jesus is pointing out the most important thing we can do (the good portion) is building a relationship with him. Spending time with Jesus and getting to know him is more important than all the stuff we do.

Now, I’m not saying we can quit being Moms or workers, yet we often keep ourselves busy with unnecessary tasks. Do we take the time to be quiet before God and just listen? Are we harried with Him as well?

I love the last part of verse 42, “which will not be taken away from her.” Time spent with God is never wasted. No matter what happens to us, no matter what happens to our bank accounts, etc. God will always be there and our relationship with him is to be cherished. If you think about it almost everything in our life is temporal, but our relationship with Christ is eternal. How much time are we spending on eternal priorities?

So, may I encourage you in 2009 to get to know God better? Spend time being quiet before Him and learning to listen to Him. Study His word and get to know his character. Resolve that you will be closer to God at the end of 2009 than you were in 2008. You won’t regret it and it can’t be taken from you.

Final Thoughts

The sock fairy has visited my dryer again. Lots of unmatched socks live in my laundry basket. Who knows maybe they came to visit your house?

Till next time,

Kimberly M. Chastain