Happy New Year!

It’s that time of year once again…

The time when resolutions abound, as folks pledge to lose weight; have a better attitude; be diligent in Bible reading and prayer; spend more time with the family; give while the spirit if giving is on them; eat the ‘right’ foods; quit all disgusting habits; exercise; remove all clutter and distractions from their lives; and more…

Some may think that it is silly and even wrong to make such resolutions, for though the intentions of the individual may be all so sincere, before the new year can even begin, all good intentions usually fly out the window.

However, it is my humble, and admittedly biased opinion, that resolutions are a good thing, if that for only for a few moments it causes us to think on ways of improving our personal and spiritual lives…that doesn’t seem like such a bad thing to me.

And though the saying goes that “the road to yon lower regions is paved with good intentions,” this still should not prevent us from at least looking for ways to a better and more fulfilling life.

It occurred to me the other day that my New Year resolution will be based on a familiar portion of the Word, The 23rd Psalm. The Living Bible is my favorite rendering of these passages…

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!

He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.

And there we have it…my New Year resolution is simply and clearly to do what honors Him the most.

It is not a goal I cannot attain. The choice is mine to make, whether to do what honors Him the most or to follow my own will and way.

When the waitress gets my order completely wrong, and when she neglects to refill my glass of Coke, without being asked; when my little world is turned upside down and today doesn’t seem to be ‘my’ day; when the attitudes of the crowd I am with scream for me to return their ugliness with an even worse attitude, there are questions to be asked…

At the height of whatever situation, am I allowing the abiding Spirit of Christ to help me to do what honors Him the most?

Is the Lord pleased with my conversation, or have my words hindered His work and will?

Does my attitude gender peace or strife?

If the Lord is truly my Shepherd, and I have everything I need…if He really lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside quiet streams…and if He really does give me strength, restoring my failing health, am I honoring Him in all I do and say?

There is a quote that I love, and I have decided that this shall be my mantra for 2011...

Every thing we do - every conversation, every action, every attitude, either adorn or obscure the Gospel.

My hope is that you make this your prayer this year…

Lord, let my every word, action, thought, and attitude adorn your precious Gospel, and may the world see the beauty of Your purpose in me!

Have a blessed New Year, doing what honors Him the most!