Theme:   Getting Unstuck - A New Kind of Resolution

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church. 

READ:   1 Corinthians 10:13; Micah 7:7-8; Romans 8:38-39

THINK:  Truth be told I am not one to make New Year’s resolutions any more.  I certainly made them many years ago, but too often they quickly were forgotten and became just a reminder of my failings and missed expectations.  Yep, I gave up.  I desired a result, I expected a result, and when it didn’t materialize I retreated to my old habits.  Too often I believe my failings were a function of my unrealistic expectations. 

• New Year’s Resolution 1970: I will keep my bedroom clean each and every day this year. (I was a 14 year old at the time so you tell me whether this is realistic and achievable).
• New Year’s Resolution 1980: I will work out five times a week for the next year. 
• New Year’s Resolution 1990: I will work out once a week for the next year.
• New Year’s Resolution 2000: I will work out once per month for the next year.
• New Year’s Resolution 2012: I will think about working out this year (now we are talking).

Seriously though it got me to thinking about the unrealistic expectations we often have of ourselves when it comes to more spiritual matters.  We can be fooled into setting the wrong expectations when it comes to temptation, failure and uncertainty.  The Bible is quite clear in these areas:

            Temptation:  Temptation is in the world, you cannot be absent from it.  Are you expecting and desiring that you will not be tempted?  Think again.  Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan but did not succumb.  See Matthew Chapter 4 if you care to study more about this event.

            Failure:  Are you expecting that you will not fail?  Perhaps my favorite example of failure involves the Apostle Peter.  Well intentioned in his desire to never deny the Lord, he failed immediately when pressed on his knowledge, association and devotion to his Savior. See Matthew 26:31-35 to see how Jesus predicted this failing.

            Uncertainty:  Do you desire certainty in areas of your life that are anything but?  Paul writes extensively in Romans about the certainty that exists in Christ Jesus.  If we are placing our faith (our certainty) in anything but Jesus we are destined to be disappointed.  Read Romans Chapter 8 if you wish to learn more about grounding yourself in God’s certainty.

The biggest risk when we set unrealistic spiritual expectations is that we can give up on ourselves and worse yet, God Himself. 

DO:  This year ground yourself in God’s truth. Meditate upon His Word so that you can learn about His intense and grace-filled love for you, failure and all.

PRAY:   Heavenly Father, how thankful I am that you love me in spite of my failures.  How thankful I am that you know my temptations and provide for me a refuge.  Your grace and forgiveness are beyond measure.  Thank you for your truth. Thank you for your grace and love when I did not deserve it.  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.