Guest Devotional - Stacy Heckman

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Do you promise yourself every year that “this is the year I will work out at least three days a week”, or my personal favorite “this will be the year that I will finally get my closet organized!” Whatever the resolution may sound like in your life, do you actually stick to them? It seems to me that the best laid plans on December 31st are often long forgotten by August 31st.

So this year, why not make some easy resolutions that you can actually stick to? Here are a few suggestions…

1. In 2010 I resolve to improve my health by either eating more dark chocolate (good for the heart) or drinking a cup coffee every day (good for the brain).

2. In 2010 I resolve to be a happier person by watching a re-run of Seinfeld or Friends once a week.

3. In 2010 I resolve to help the economy by shopping at my favorite store once a month (or if you’re like me and your favorite store is Target, maybe it’s more like once a week).

Okay, seriously. Would you like an easy resolution that you can actually stick to that would not only help improve your mental health and make you a happier person, it will also probably change your life? Well… here it is…

Each time you attend Church at the Bay there are “Next Steps” on the back of the bulletin. If you could take action on one of those “next steps” each week… or even once a month, it could change the way you live your life in 2010. There are usually at least two options listed, and they don’t take much time to complete, but this resolution could lead to a revolution in your life.

If this doesn’t sound like your “cup of tea,” I encourage you to find some other very simple, applicable resolution that will improve your spiritual walk this coming year. It can be as easy as subscribing to a daily email devotional or simply attending church on a regular basis. Wherever you are in your current walk with God, find something that will challenge you, but not overwhelm you.

So just remember when making that resolution to work out every week in 2010 that in 1 Timothy 4:8 it says, “For physical training is of some value, but spiritual training is useful and of value in everything and in every way for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.”

Make a resolution that will change your life… not just in 2010, but for eternity. Happy New Year everyone!