New Years Resolutions lists... a good thing for Christians?

Here we are in 2015! Happy New Year! This time of year people make those resolutions lists. Is it Biblical for Christians to do this? I would say a resounding YES! Take stock of the past year to see if you grew closer to God or not and then make plans - definitive and achievable ones - to be closer to God by this time next year. Now I will caution that yes we need to constantly take stock of where we are in Christ, but at the same time, don't get stuck in the past - be it a good or bad one. Lots of us can get stuck there from either an abusive past or one where we made lots of mistakes. The trap there from the enemy is that BECAUSE of our past, God can't use us which is a lie! Look at this list...

So looking at this list we're in good company when it comes to past failures. Now what it you don't have a bad past or an abusive one? What if your past is a great one? What if you've done missions trips and served faithfully at your church for years? The trap here is we can get lost in the moments of the past - those high notes where we had a great experience at a camp or crusade or project and we cannot move past it. We become ineffective because we think we can never attain that kind of moment again. 

Really? God just wants us to be available. Look at the example of 1 Samuel 3:4 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” and then verse 10, 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

The example is that we need to be ready for when God calls us to do something and not make excuses like Moses or lie we all do at times, but be ready to serve in whatever capacity he has for us. The question is are we ready? I look at myself as much as anyone else when I ask this. I hope we can all say, "Yes."