I’m not into the whole New Year’s Resolution jazz. It’s a little bit over-rated, wouldn’t you agree? Fifty percent of Americans make resolutions and by the end of the first week 22% of that number already abandoned their resolution.
I’ll tell you what I’m going to do this year instead. I heard this on KLOVE this past week and loved the idea. I’m thinking of one word to define my 2012. A theme for the year. Something to be in the back of my mind all year. It’s not a resolution, similar, but I don’t want to call it that just on principle. I like it because it’s simple. I’m simple minded. Just one word to think about.
My word is joy. I looked up the definition and according the Merriam Webster it is “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” I really don’t like this definition. According to the Bible joy comes from having a right relationship with God and is something that as humans we cannot achieve by ourselves. I don’t want to be in control, so I’m totally cool with God taking care of things. It comes about when we know, serve, and glorify God.
As great as it would be to be happy all the time that’s not what my life is about. I do, however, want to be joyous all the time. In every situation, no matter how terrible, I want to be filled with joy. It’s hard. I know because I wasn’t exactly the most joyous person in 2011. It’s difficult to be joyous when I’m clearing tables off at the restaurant I waitress at and get covered in thai wing sauce, I don’t really love that. And it’s hard to be joyous when my closest friends don’t live by me. And it’s hard to be joyous when the future is unknown. But despite all of this I am thankful for God’s unconditional love and His plan for my life and I will trust Him with that. I am trusting t that He will provide my with His joy and that will flow from me during this new year. Joy. That’s my word.
You should pick a word to live by this year.
