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What New Year’s resolutions have you made? Most will have made ones that were designed to make their lives or the lives around them better. Such resolutions may include: losing weight, stopping a bad habit, exercising more, becoming more organized, or having a better attitude. Now, I’m not going to be sarcastic like the man who made the New Year’s toast, “May your troubles be as short lived as your resolutions!” I sincerely hope you succeed in every resolution you make (that is within the Lord’s will, of course).
So how are you going to get your resolutions accomplished? Hebrews 12:1-2 can give us a lot of encouragement and help along that line. Even though the true context of the passage is ridding our lives of sin and striving toward heaven, we can make application to accomplishing worthy earthly goals, as well.
“since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” – Involve others. There are many in your life who can motivate and encourage you. Look to the example of those who have already completed what you are trying to accomplish.
“let us lay aside every weight” – Get rid of all the obstacles that are hindering success. There are plenty of ways to fail, and the world will make sure to bring them all out. To succeed, all obstacles must be avoided or overcome.
“and let us run” – Exercise yourself in a specific plan of action to complete the goal. Accomplishing goals is often a matter of each of us being determined to run – then running.
“with endurance” – You need to be persistent in accomplishing your resolutions. You can’t give up, even though there may be setbacks. If you stumble, get back on your feet and get running again.
“looking unto Jesus” – Keep your eyes upon Jesus who overcame earthly obstacles, completed God’s plan, persisted, and made it back to heaven. Remember what all He went through and how what you are trying to do is much less demanding and that you can do it.
Henry Ward Beecher once said: “We have passed through one more year. One more long stage in the journey of life, with its ascents and descents and dust and mud and rocks and thorns and burdens that wear the shoulders, is done. The old year is dead. Roll it away. Let it go.” May I only add, “let it go, and let’s go on to greater things in 2021.”
Edd Sterchi
Broadway church of Christ
Campbellsville, KY