Stay the Course

Like many people, I make resolutions each New Year. Each year I desire to grow on a personal and spiritual level, so I set goals to help me accomplish that. Unfortunately, also like many people, sometimes my goals fall by the wayside and I slip into old habits and routines. When this happens I become frustrated and wonder why I can’t stay on track, especially when it comes to my spiritual goals. God has done so much for me, the least I can do is give my “reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1) to Him. Why do I have good intentions to complete my goals, but can’t seem to consistently follow through? What can I do to keep from repeating that cycle?

The reason we fall short of what God expects from us is simple. We forget who God really is. God is powerful, in Genesis 17:1 He said to Abraham, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect”. God is holy and can’t stand sin. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists a number of sins He hates. God knows everything, He even knew us in the womb! Psalm 139:13-16 explains this phenomenon and says, “…thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb… My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret…”. Please take the time to read the whole passage, it gives me chills each time I do. God sent Jesus, His only son, to die a painful and humiliating death so we could spend eternity with Him in Heaven. And each day He extends undeserved mercy and grace to us. HALLELUJAH what a Savior! If we remembered all these things about God we wouldn’t ever be too tired to read the Bible, too stingy to give when the plate is passed, or too reluctant to witness when the Holy Spirit leads.

I’m a visual person, so as a reminder to help me stay on course, I’ve framed my goals and put them on my dresser. In the same vein, we can remind ourselves of who God is by memorizing His word and putting it where we can see it. When I’m working on a verse to memorize I write it on an index card and place it where I’ll see it daily, such as my bathroom mirror or the refrigerator. With regard to His words God says, “…bind them for a sign upon thine hand…write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates” (Deut. 6:8-9).

If you’ve made New Year resolutions like me, let’s determine to stay the course throughout 2011. When December 31 arrives let’s be able to look back, not with frustration over our failure, but with joy over our accomplishment.

In Christ,

Christina L. Gibbs

Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a strong Virtuous Fashionista, who works to stay on GOD’s course, who is saved by the grace of GOD, who admits to being envious of others at times, who knows my worth, has a calming peace, who gives thanks daily, who wants to be a GODLY example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in GOD’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands GOD's love, has an intimate relationship with GOD, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.