I’ve made many resolutions over the past years.  I don’t know about you but as 2009 has ended another decade I realize “again” that some, well most of those resolutions, I never kept.  They were well meaning, wholesome and hopeful life changing resolutions.  Somehow they just went by the way side, yet again.  Do you relate with me?

A couple of weeks ago a pastor challenged me in a new way to look at New Years Resolutions.  To accept that it’s time to perhaps change the way I think about resolutions and the whole process of making “The Dreaded List” once again.

Basically His challenge was to reflect ahead to the coming year.  What “one word” would you have those who know you well say about you at the close of 2010 and how you chose to live your life?  Also, what would be our “one word” goal to choose to direct the coming years decisions.  What “one word” in 2010 would narrow down what you would say yes and no to as you order your life?
 
The challenge, are you ready?   Reflect and write down forty to fifty words that could be your goal.  Pray, meditate and discern from that list and break it down to say twenty words…then ten, then five to three major words.  From these last selections choose the “one word” that would be your years goal to set your priorities around.  

I know some of you are saying, what?  How can this work, it sounds so simple.  Give us some examples to choose from.  Well don’t feel slighted, I had those same thoughts and more.  Yet I began my list of words and prayed that God would show me in His timing what that “one word” would be.  Some examples might be:  encourage, truthful, kindness, thoughtful, reliable, influence, parent, humble, grateful, health, reverence, bold, caring, wisdom, discerning, dedicated, giving, sharing, diligent, serving, consistent, joyful, contentment, forgiveness, saving and spending.  The list could go on and on.  There’s no end to what words we could use.

Early this past week as I was preparing for work, listening and singing along with my radio, I got my answer!  A song came on that I’d heard many times before and it stopped me in my tracks to listen this time with my heart.  I knew immediately what my years “one word” would be.  It just happened to be one of the last words on my list.

I was excited about, thankful and awe struck all at once at the possibilities that began to flow.   I knew immediately that this was the “one word” for me!  I could bring 2010 better into focus by choosing to live out this “one word” as my goal for each day.  I could possibly have hope that yes, I can keep this resolution!  I can make a difference this year!

We know how they say that curiosity killed the cat or something like that.  You may want to guess from the words that I listed above the “one word” that I chose as my goal.  One clue, it’s not any of the above. 
I would love to hear from you.  Share with me about your resolution.  Perhaps somewhere down the road this coming year I’ll share my “one word” and thoughts more with you.  As for now the challenge is all yours.   

What about it, will you accept the challenge?  Something is better than no challenge at all, it really is!  What would you like to achieve in 2010?  Not dwelling on the past but focusing on the future.  What a great time to be alive…or should I say decide to really live. 

Email your thoughts my way comments@bluehighwaystv.com
I’ll look forward to hearing from YOU!