New Year’s Resolution

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

I recall years ago, before I became a committed born-again Christian, making my list of New Year’s resolutions in mid-December. Ok, I thought, these are the things I have to change in my life in order that I will be happy and fulfilled (note the repeated use of the pronoun I). At the top of my list almost every year was the desire to lose weight (For some reason I have never been able to figure out, I have had a compulsive eating disorder since a young age). I would prepare an “eating plan” – this of course was over and done fairly quickly into the new year as my resolve weakened and the desire to self-comfort with excessive food took over. As I recall, other burning desires were to be liked and accepted by this group or that – accompanied by “please let whoever my current crush was, to find me irresistible!”

For years, I mourned over the time wasted making my own plans rather than seeking God’s plan and purpose. HOWEVER, God’s Word clearly states in Philippians 3:13b – “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward what lies ahead.”

Of course, there is a necessity to make some plans for the future – where we will live; how will we work; raising our children; and retirement plans for the future. But these plans should be held loosely. James 4:13-14, talks about making plans – but the problem is that they are held with a worldly view. James 4:15 clearly instructs us “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will do this or that’ So even if some plans are laid out, we are to be in constant touch with God throughout our life, seeking His guidance, direction and input. Why would we want to live any other way?!?!

Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” WOW!!!

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

I cannot now imagine having a life on my own terms without daily seeking the input and direction of my sovereign God. I arise each morning, expecting Him at every turn. I can honestly say that I no longer have ordinary days because as I look to Him in all things, ordinary days become EXTRAORDINARY days! If we make all our own plans, we miss out on His perfectly-timed interventions and His divine appointments!

I close with my weight loss miracle. In 2016, I weighed in at about 190 lbs or so. My knees were in bad shape, probably tired from keeping all that weight upward and mobile. In addition, I was a total tennis addict and was on the court 4 or 5 days a week (I fell in love with the sport at age 50 so that probably contributed to my knee challenges!). My first knee replacement was in 2017 followed by the second soon after in early 2018. During this time, I had a “nudge” from the Holy Spirit, who basically said “How about cutting back a bit? And perhaps begin a healthy new habit that might help you to stabilize your weight?” So I did. I cut back. A bit. Started drinking more water each day to keep me hydrated. I noticed I was feeling better. Slowly, the Holy Spirit started giving me more specific instructions toward a healthier lifestyle. For the first time in my life, I did not head into this hoping to look like a model but rather to live a healthier life while also honoring my Lord and Savior by my lifestyle choices. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”)

I daily praise God for His divine and welcome intervention into my life. I now weigh 130lbs. I say this not to brag (hardly!) – but to show that we all need God’s guidance, direction and correction during our lifetime, in order to live a life that honors Him.

Psalm 119:133 – “Direct my steps according to Your Word; and let no sin rule over me.”

Blessings,

Christine