Broken Resolutions

Job 36:10 – And He opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from evil. (NASB)

Here we are late into the New Year. The January 1st crunch of resolution has passed. So has most of my resolve.

I really struggled with my weight loss plans from November right into January. That is, I had a plan but I wasn't trying very hard to follow it. My weight went up.

I blamed the relatives who brought food, the parties I attended, the general way we all celebrate Christmas, and the presence of food everywhere I looked. (That has to include my own home.)

However this is the reality. I said to myself, "I have no discipline. One little bite can't hurt." Then I reached out my hand. I picked up the food. I bent my elbow. I opened my mouth. I swallowed. I gained weight.

Discipline is remembering what we want. What is it that we want? Furtive swallows of health-harming foods? A quick smoke out in the freezing cold? Temper tantrums? Destroying someone's reputation with gossip? Greed? Selfishness? Disobedience?

Or would we rather walk in love toward a holy God, glorifying Him with our bodies, His temple?

Prayer: O God, we admit that we have been undisciplined. The world tells us that if we break a New Year's resolution, all is lost, we are failures, and we must wait again until next January 1st to start again. But God! Your Word says that Your lovingkindness is new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, O God! (Lamentations 3:23) Here we are, Lord. Meet us in our fallen state; give us courage to go on. Restore us once more. In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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