Resolution Success

Like many people each January I make a New Year's resolution. Over the years I've been both successful and more often, not so successful at keeping them. This year I tried a new approach; instead of just declaring my intent I laid out plans for how I will reach my goals

I remembered Jesus teaching in Luke 14:28-30, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Of course, Jesus wasn't talking about new year resolutions. He was teaching about the cost of following him. So often I see people who only want to be "part-time" Christians. They want the glory and the joy but aren't prepared to walk through the valleys of life.

But those valleys come anyway, whether we want them to or not! The good news is that even when we are "part-time" Christians Jesus is our full time Savior. He stays with us through the valleys and never abandons us. But just like our new years resolutions Jesus asks us to count the cost of following him. And even when the cost is high, He promises to be with us to lead us and guide our steps.

So this year, when and if you make a resolution, back it up with a plan-count the cost. But even more important resolve to follow Jesus wherever he leads, knowing that you never walk that path alone.