As we stand at the start of a new year, many of us think about the things we resolve to accomplish. I suspect a clear majority of individuals violate their resolutions within the first few weeks of the calendar year, or they abandon them altogether.
I wonder if a long-term view of start-of-year promises would serve us better – reducing stress and relieving mental pressure that comes as a result of “failure.” Would we experience victories – both now and down the road – if we approached our aims as goals to be measured throughout the year and at its conclusion rather than at the start of the year? In other words, how does God see us and how we accomplish the promises we make to ourselves?
I find the words of John instructive, although he doesn’t speak of resolutions per se. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2, NKJV). Christ does not see me as I am; rather, He sees me as I shall be. I need to do the same; and so do you. So I set my goals, periodically ascertaining my progress. At the close of the year, I review those goals and see what I accomplished and where I fell short. Then by God’s grace I start over again the next year – knowing that God will give me His success as I continue to strive by His grace for victories.