Resolutions

Each year about this time we start hearing about making our New Year’s resolutions. Often those goals deal with the physical. In fact, losing weight is always the most commonly-made resolution. Others resolve to get in shape or to increase their savings account.

These are all worthy resolutions and are similar to some I am considering. For 2007 I made a long list of resolutions and divided them into several categories: physical health, financial, social, etc. While I did not meet every single resolution, I was successful at most of them.

But how about some spiritual resolutions? As we start to think about resolutions for 2008, are there some things in your spiritual life that need some improvement? Do you have things in your life that could use a goal?

While this list is nowhere near complete, here are some possible “starters” for spiritual resolutions for 2008:

1. Read the Bible every day. Many have a goal of reading through the Bible (or doing so multiple times) each year. This is a great goal and one that I would recommend. But sometimes we skip a day, then another, then another; and, before long, we have failed to read the Bible in two or three weeks. Make a goal of how much of the Bible you wish to read each day. You can do this by number of chapters (10 works well) or by number of pages (that way your reading time is nearly always the same). I have done both with success. The main thing is to spend time letting God communicate with you through His Word each day.
2. Set aside a specific time to pray each day. Instead of making the resolution to “pray daily,” make it a priority to “pray at 6:30 AM” or “pray for 15 minutes before retiring in the evening” each day. When it is important enough to warrant a “slot” in your day, you will look forward to those times of prayer. Also, if you set this resolution in this way, you will be more likely to spend more time in prayer.
3. Send cards (or emails) to…. Who do you know that could use a pick-me-up? Each of us knows someone (or dozens of folks) who have done marvelous things for us. Set a resolution to send a certain number of cards each week (or even each day). If money is tight, send an email. You can google “free ecards” and send a card through email for free if that will seem more personal. Whatever you decide, stick with it and you will make people happy.
4. Form a religious book group. This is one I’ve never done, but have thought about for some time (and I may not do it in 2008). There are scores of good books out there to help you with your spiritual life. Many are in book groups that deal with novels and other books, so why not have a group dedicated to the materials designed to help us grow spiritually? It could be a great outreach project, by the way.
5. Invite ____ people to worship each month. By setting goals like this, you will ensure yourself of meeting the goal. Instead of just saying “Invite MORE…,” say “Invite 4….” That will help you keep up with your goals.

There are so many other worthy goals, but each of these will help us keep our minds on God and on our goal: going to heaven and helping others go with us.

If you have another spiritual goal idea, please share it in the comments!