Well, we’ve come to the time of our year when all major holidays are behind us. Christmas decorations will remain in place for a few more days, the anticipation of what’s inside wrapping and stockings has worn off. Bags of trash created from the frenzy of opening beautifully wrapped packages along with remnants from many dinners fill our waste cans or spill over in garbage containers waiting for the next pickup. As excitement over gifts begins to wane, many of us turn our thoughts now to a new year soon approaching, one last flip of the calendar. Ah, 2025–with all its wins and losses small and big–is behind us as we welcome 2026 in a matter of a few days. 

In many households indulging in favorite holiday foods and candy will be replaced with dieting ideas, returning to a somewhat normalcy in daily meals. Some of us will welcome January 1st by making a list of “new year’s resolutions”. Each stroke of our pen brings with them a promise to “stay the course” and not “break” our simple oaths that we make to ourselves.

Just where did making resolutions in the new year originate? If you’re like me, I often wonder the “why” behind practices that people adopt over years. It’s one thing to be committed to taking on a challenge, it’s another to understand the why behind it.

A quick search online showed me that resolutions began about 4,000 years ago in the Babylonian culture. These ancient people made oaths to their “gods” in order to gain favor. Part of their ritual was a commitment to pay off all debt and return items that had been borrowed. What a novel idea!

Now, we make promises to eat better, exercise more, drink more water….our self made goals seem to focus on “self”, the physical aspect of our bodies versus our minds and hearts. While that’s a genuine goal, what if God desires something different than a fit and beautiful toned body? What if He would have us choose to develop and transform our minds and hearts that lean towards Him?

2 Corinthians 10: 5 says  the “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (New Living Translation) True to my nature, comparing different versions of scripture, I like how the Common Jewish Bible states this verse: And every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah.” Both versions make me say “ouch”, not because the words hurt me physically but rather the strong directives given to me by a loving yet righteous God.

I gave up making resolutions in the new year long ago. Why? Because I’m a failure. The month of January often looks successful in many ways for me until my old habits creep back, luring me into comfort instead of diligence. When I always try to “lean on my own understanding and will power”, I lose my ambitions. This is why I need God. I need Holy Spirit to spur me on much like a sideline coach. I need the words from Galatians 6: 9: “So let us not grow weary of doing what is good; for if we don’t give up, we will in time reap the harvest”. (Common Jewish Bible) The New Living Translation says “we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

As Christians, we are called to rely on our Father, Who is the One and Only, the King of Kings, a God who told us over 4,000 years ago to “have no other gods before Him.” Man has been pretty good at creating other gods, then finding ways to appease and plead for earthly comforts, thus the example of the Babylonians giving us the idea to make new yearly promises to escape hardship. God’s version of living “with” hardships that are not withheld from our lives is the gift of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace who comforts all who mourn. He’s a Mighty Counselor guiding us how to resolve conflict in relationships. He’s Jehovah Jireh, the one who provides. He’s much much more.

So, as we close out 2025 I invite you to throw out the idea of making “new year’s resolutions”. May I suggest that you pick up pen and paper, find a comfortable spot and make a list of all the things you’re grateful for this past year. Then ask God “how can I know You better? What kind of good things can I do to help reap harvests in our families? In our community?”

I promise you that answers will come. God WILL speak to you by the power of His Holy Spirit. If we as true followers of Christ listen, obey, and act…well, think of the blessings that will be poured out on our families and this town we lovingly call “the ‘Ville’”. That’s a harvest I can get excited about!