Spend more time with family. Exercise. Eat healthier. Lose weight. Spend less. Save more. Enjoy life to the fullest. Almost half of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. There are even apps to help us keep track of our resolutions! But, according to history.com, the sad fact is only 8% actually achieve their goals throughout the year.
Personally, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Not that I think they’re wrong or bad in any way. It’s just that if God puts it on my heart to make a change, I want to seize the day – carpe diem! A new year is a convenient time to begin better habits, but it only comes around once a year.
Really, plan as we might, we don’t know what tomorrow holds (Proverbs 27:1). Why put off obeying God when we don’t know if we’ll get the chance to later? When He holds us accountable for our choices face to face, I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
But . . . I’m human. And I’m assuming you are, too. There’s no escaping the fact that we all make mistakes, sometimes even intentionally. To be honest, there are times when we just don’t want to obey God right away – or at all (like our plans are better than His . . . not really).
Thankfully, God will forgive us if we humble ourselves, pray, and repent (II Chronicles 7:14). His mercies are new every morning, not just every new year (Lamentations 3:22-23).
So, if God is calling you to make a change in your life, carpe diem – seize the day!
Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff