This Year, I Resolve to Lose my Life.

Every New Years admirable goals get set, big dreams get dreamt. Lofty ideas are entertained in the hopes of a better year. No doubt, today, from many pulpits flowed positive messages of how we to change our lives this year. I'm sure sound advice on how to keep promises to ourselves were learned today. It's to be expected, after all, the Bible teaches us to set goals.  Many verses teach us to be proactive in our lives. Like this one.

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.~ Proverbs 21:5

We should set goals. Hard work is  the path of success, is a truth. I'd never suggest otherwise. I'd never deny most of us have untapped potential. Certainly, loosing weight, breaking addictions, and getting control of your finances, are worthy goals. I hope and pray this year brings the betterment of us all. I certainly make plans and have goals.

Realistically, the majority of today's words and strategies will soon be forgotten. Many of 2017's resolutions will quickly fall by the wayside. So much emphasis will be placed on our plans for our lives. Oh, the things we will attempt to make our lives better . Yet, I'm reminded Jesus said in Luke 9: 24 -25

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very lives

What if this year, we resolved to give up the futile attempt at being in charge of our own destinies? What if instead of focusing on our own successes , the goals we set were for bettering the lives of others? In other words, loving our neighbor as much as ourselves. How much better would our lives become if we strived to give our dedication to God as liberally as God has given us His grace? If what we desire is an abundant life, we must diligently plan to live in as much obedience, as a fallen creature can, to word of God. What if, rather than creating the best version of ourselves, we lost our lives, finding ourselves in Christ? I plan on following Jesus every day for the rest of my life. You coming?

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

May the goals we set for today, lead us into a soul satisfying, productive, participation of God's plan, of loosing our lives, proclaiming the way, the truth, and the life, in Him.

Happy New Year.