Any New Year’s Resolutions for the coming New Year?!  I have a few.  At the top of my list is “to know Jesus more clearly, to love Him more dearly, and to follow Him more nearly.”  I also want to lose 20 pounds and get “race” fit!  This brings up the question “are New Year’s resolutions even biblical?”  Well, although not directly, I would say they are indirectly.  Here are a few scriptures that encourage me to take an inventory/examination at the beginning of each year:

…write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” - Habakkuk 2:2 kjv   

“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” - Prov.19:18

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold for me.” - Phil.3:12 

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…” - Heb. 12:1-2  Jesus’ life and ministry exemplified vision and purpose.  He had YOU on His mind (vision) when He endured the cross (purpose)!

We all need vision (goals) and purpose in our lives. 

Vision - “the faculty or state of being able to see.”

Purpose - “the reason for which something is done.”

Ryan Hall, an Olympic runner, holds the American record for the half marathon and has run the fastest marathon time ever run by an American in a time of  

2: 04:58 - impressive!   He had to have vision and purpose to accomplish his goals. Vision creates purpose!   Ryan speaks of “finding God in every step,”   not only on the mountain tops but in the valleys too - where the rubber meets the road!  With vision comes discipline, the implementation that drives the purpose!

You and I may not be Olympic athletes, but God calls (vision) all of us into a deeper relationship (purpose) with Him.  With that vision in mind we can move forward with purpose.  A purpose that guides our decisions and influences our behavior - one that looks at the big picture! “The bible in its totality ascribes only one intention of God; to save mankind.  Every task of the church makes sense and has a purpose only as it leads to the mission.” - George F. Vicedom

Happy coming New Year (Lord willing)!

Pastor Rodney