Episode Details

In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we delve into the concept of New Year’s resolutions and examine whether they truly serve us in our faith journey. Many set resolutions with good intentions, but how often do we find ourselves falling short? Together, we’ll discuss the importance of aligning our goals with God’s will, the role of grace in our efforts, and practical steps to make our resolutions more meaningful. Join us as we explore how to transform resolutions into intentional commitments that draw us closer to Christ.

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We’d love to hear your thoughts on resolutions! Share your experiences with us on social media @LifeaudioNetwork or via email—Have you found success in your resolutions, or have they felt like failing propositions? What strategies have worked for you in pursuing lasting change?

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Full Transcript Below:

Are Resolutions Failing Propositions?

By Kelly Balarie

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41 NIV 

I set my specific goals to improve on January 1st, however somewhere between 3 days to 3 weeks later, my resolution was done, broke, and entirely over. I can’t say I’m proud of it. My spirit was willing, but flesh proved weak. And, in a spirit of confession, before you, fellow Christian, I must admit, this wasn’t an isolated incident either. I’ve broken resolution after resolution. I commit things and don’t always follow through. I sometimes hate myself for it too.

Ever been there?

It’s frustrating. The new year resolution that was supposed to bless, inspire, and make me better -- defeated, discouraged, and deflated me. Grr…So, here we are again…in the midst of the new year. The time of year when people are throwing up resolution-like things, like bullets, all over social media sites. A time when they say, “I am going to ____.” “I will stop ____.” “My word of the year is ___.”

Hearing all these bold declarations -- almost makes you feel like a lazy loser if you’re not participating. 

But, at the same time, and I think it is a valid question to ask – do resolutions even work? And are they God’s best intent for us? 

Research shows only 9% people keep their new year resolution. 23% give up by the first week. 43% give up by February. 

Even the holy and saintly disciples broke a resolution. 

In Jesus’ hour of intense agony and sorrow, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told them to sit nearby and to keep watch with him. I’m sure they determined, with great inner-resolution to accomplish this -- to obey and to pray, just like Jesus had said.

Yet, it wasn’t too long until Jesus returned and found them -- asleep. So much for that resolution!

“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt. 26:41-42 NIV)

Ultimately, what it comes down to is – resolution without intercession is ineffective. Resolution without God’s accompanying grace is counterproductive. Resolution without keeping watch leads to falling into temptation.

In all this, I can’t help but think -- it is better not to say, “I am going to do this ___ this year,” but, instead, to pray, “God, give me grace and show how to do __ today. Reveal to me what to watch out for…” 

One sets itself up for