On January 1, much like previous years, there was a significant uptick in the mention of New Year’s resolutions on the various social media platforms. What’s interesting is that this year saw a 20% increase from last year. Since 2020, it seems like we’ve been trying to get back to pre-pandemic normalcy while at the same time trying to improve our mental health, our physical health, and our financial well-being.
According to brandwatch.com, learning something new has been at the top of the list of new year’s resolutions for the last three years. This year, it was followed by the typical exercise more, travel more, save money, lose weight, and read more. Spending more time with family and friends dropped significantly this year (20%).
WHAT IT TELLS US
While there are a lot of things that we can glean from the resolutions that people are making this year, the statistics also reveal that the majority of new year’s resolutions don’t last beyond the four-month mark. Why? Because while we’re interested in starting well, we often fail to start right. Most new year’s resolutions are geared around forward progress.
Now, while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking steps in a right and better direction, we need to understand that it is just as important that we start right as it is that we start well. There is a difference. Starting well is focused on our well-being – mentally, physically, financially, relationally. Again, there isn’t anything wrong with improvements being made in those particular areas, but it often elevates to PREEMINENCE what should only be a PRIORITY. Now, what’s the difference? Well, a priority is something of importance while something that is preeminent is our very reason for existence. A priority is focused on what we do while preeminence is focused on why we exist. We don’t exist to think better, to feel better, to look better, to be more financially secure, or to be more socially acceptable; we exist to glorify God with our life.
Colossians 1:16-18 says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
As a child of God, Christ is to be the center and controller of our life. We need to understand that our plan this year should be to get on and to stay on God’s plan for our life. Cary Schmidt described what that looks like practically when he said, “Wake up tomorrow and walk His road, hear His voice, follow His lead — that’s my plan. Obey Jesus, love Jesus, love people, and do the work He’s called me to right now. That’s the plan.”
Making Christ preeminent in my life means to understand that Jesus is my SHELTER, Jesus is my STRENGTH, and Jesus is my STABILITY. Starting right means studying Jesus in His Word, it means showing Jesus in my behavior, it means searching for Jesus in my situation, it means standing on and resting in His promises, and it means staying in step with Jesus each and every single day. It means that instead of making room for Jesus in my life, I begin with Jesus over my life. I want my DESIRES, my DIRECTION, my DOINGS to be His DELIGHT. Simply put, I start right by learning to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) and by doing all that I do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)."
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
