INSPIRASUNS

It’s a new year and with that comes all those New Year’s resolutions. You know those decisions we make to do or not do something for the year. The start of the new year brings new hope, a chance for a fresh start, an opportunity to do things differently. If you are like me, you’ve made bunches of New Year’s resolutions over your lifetime and probably only kept a few. Why is that I wonder?

Yesterday as I was looking at social media later in the day I noticed something different. I didn’t see many posts about people’s resolutions for the year. Instead, I saw posts about people cleaning out closets, organizing kitchen cabinets, and getting rid of clutter. I myself began the process of redoing my desktop area. I have an ancient pc that can no longer even accept Windows 11, so it was time to get rid of the old and set up a new workstation. While I was at it, I wiped an old laptop too. There will be a pretty significant pile going to recycle next week 🙂 . But I digress…

This morning, as I thought about the posts on social media and everyone’s desire to get things in order I wondered about the New Year’s resolution. How is it different from a commitment? Well, I did what most would do, I looked up the definition of each word. Resolution: a firm decision to do or not to do something. Commitment: the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc. Ok, I thought, that helps…sort of. Actually what helped me more was to look at the synonyms of the words, that’s where the difference appeared. Synonyms for resolution were: intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, aspiration. Synonyms for commitment were: dedication, devotion, allegiance, loyalty, faithfulness, fidelity. Hmmm…now reading those, I totally see the difference in these two words.

By now I’m guessing you are wondering where I’m going with this little blog this morning right?! Well, here’s where my head went this morning as I was thinking about the new year ahead. I don’t want to make a resolution to do this or that. I want to commit to myself to do this or that. For instance, I’ve fallen off the fitness wagon big time towards the end of 2024. I’ve not felt good and I know exactly why. I know my body and I know what works foodwise and what doesn’t. I know how I feel when I make bad food choices and when I don’t exercise regularly. In 2025 I’m committing myself to get back to doing what I should with my health. I deserve to feel better and I need to commit to making that happen.

Likewise, in my relationship with Jesus, with Father, I want to make a commitment that all decisions in my life start there. Yes, I spend time with Father daily, I ask Jesus to be next to me and guide me, however, do I put each decision to God every day, nope. I commit to doing that going forward, I want Him to guide each decision, and I want to trust Him more to guide everything I do, not just the tough decisions.

So let’s look at this, I’m committing to getting healthy again, meaning, I’m dedicating and devoting the time and energy to this cause. I’m going to be loyal and faithful to myself in making it happen. Likewise, I’m dedicating and devoting myself to Father with each decision I make. My allegiance and loyalty will be to Him. And…my faithfulness in all that He is, will never waiver.

Yes, I think that there is a reason that resolutions don’t last, they are based on intentions. Commitments, well, those are based on dedication, devotion, allegiance, loyalty, and faithfulness. There is a distinct difference me thinks 🙂 .

So friends, what are your commitments for 2025? Give it some thought, and I just encourage you to make one small commitment to spend more time with our Lord each day. Happy 2025!

Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.