What happens to 2016 resolution leftovers? Journal #20
My friend Lynn just published a book entitled, Keep Walking, helping women find healing after betrayal. I’ve heard her story many times and each time it seems to captivate me in different ways. I’ve heard her tell women over and over again to “Keep Walking” referencing the verse in Isaiah 43:2 reminding women that in order to get to the other side, you have to walk through the process.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Her words struck me in a different way a few weeks ago, and I began to adopt her mantra, keep walking, as the end of the year quickly approaches. Not because of a hurt or a betrayal, but because of a dream and a purpose that I‘ve been given that I need to continue to walk out. A process I have to go through despite the fact if there’s no end in sight.
So often as each year comes to an end and a new one begins, we set our eyes on a new prize setting new resolutions often celebrating accomplishments from the year. Sometimes we end the year rejoicing because we are ready to leave the hurts, hang-ups or mistakes in the past where they belong. Maybe even missed opportunities have become heavy holding and are holding us back.
But as I opened my journal the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about the goals I had for 2016, what I thought would happen or goals I would be able to achieve by a certain date. I like goals, and I like to plan.
But some of those dates have come and gone and the goal is not 100%. Some are 75% while others are merely 10%.
So what now?
Do I lay those down? Did I fail? Did I over-predict, set myself up for failure?
Maybe.
Or maybe I’m supposed to keep walking. Maybe I’m supposed to go through the process.
Kind of sounds like what faith is all about, right? But when does faith have its end? Or does it?
One of my favorite verses that I like to speak about that has often come back to bite me in the behind is found in 2 Corinthians 8:10 The Message:
So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands.
That goal that is at 75%, I need to keep walking until it’s 100%.
That goal that’s at 10%, I need to keep walking until it’s 100%
If it’s a goal I know came from above, it’s clear and backed by scripture, then why do I think I can set a due date on it? Where does it say in the Bible that once a year ends, if you didn’t accomplish something, then set it aside?
My Bible doesn’t say that and neither does yours. So I guess we have but one choice left:
2017 resolution: Finish what you started this year!
Journal time:
Instead of making new resolutions for 2017, which goals from 2016 should you continue to walk out and finish?
