A Sure-Fail Resolution

“After reading so much about how bad processed foods are for health, my New Year’s resolution is to stop reading.” 

My friend’s creative avoidance made me smile. ‘Tis the season for making resolutions, and about 50% of all Americans do so. The top ten resolutions, according to the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology, are: lose weight, get organized, spend less/save more, enjoy life to the fullest, stay fit and healthy, learn something exciting, quit smoking, help others fulfill their dreams, fall in love, spend more time with family. 

I don’t know how they track such matters, but their research also reveals that a mere 8% succeed in achieving their resolutions.

Since there’s such a small chance of success, I decided to start the new year with a sure-fail resolution. It’s found in 2 Corinthians 5:9. “So I make it my goal to please God.” 

See what I mean? There’s no way I can please God. I’m sure to fail. Think about it: how could I, a human being who can’t even keep a resolution like “get organized” have a chance at pleasing God? Me, a sinner who struggles with controlling my tongue, my attitude, my desires—how could the likes of me please God? There’s no doubt: it’s a sure fail. 

Or is it? 

Thankfully there’s good news, found, not surprisingly, in God’s Word: 

• Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know personally and intimately the One who invited us to God (2 Peter 1:3 MSG). 
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). 
• Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure (Philippians 2:13 MSG). 

Amazing, isn’t it? We can please God…because God gives us what we need to please Him! 

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19, 20 NLT).