Devotion

When I was young, while visiting a neighborhood park with my family, I noticed runners moving around the length of the park.  There was still a chill in the late morning air, but some of the runners were dressed in shorts and tank tops.  They wore the big, bold numbers pinned to their tops signifying them as entrants to a race.

While I watched, I noticed their easy, fluid strides.  They made it look so simple, placing one foot in front of the other, as if to a rhythm only they could hear.  I wanted to join them, but I knew I wasn't prepared to go the distance.

It's the beginning of a new year, time for resolutions.

Resolutions are all about you.  What you want to do differently, what you want to change about yourself or your life.  Do you want to lose weight, quit some addiction, or just be a better you?

Accomplishing any resolution takes effort and a bit of suffering.  But if it was really all about you don't you think success would be easier?

Every year it's the same, you start with good intentions but somewhere along the way you struggle.  Then a couple of months into the new year another resolution goes unfulfilled.  Is it because you don't have the self-discipline or desire to complete the task?

Here's a question:  How is your devotion to God?

"We are instructed to turn from Godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.  He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."  Titus 2:12-14 (emphasis added)

In order to go the distance you need to be prepared.  So how do you prepare?  Devotion!  Spend time in God's Word, pray ceaselessly, get to know Jesus like you have never known Him before.  Condition your heart and mind before trying to run that mile.  When you are truly ready to run your body will fall in line. 

You can't do it on your own.

So why not start with spending time with God.  He makes the impossible possible.  Jesus will carry you when you can't take another step.  When the words won't come or you don't know what to do the Holy Spirit will guide you.  God is your Father and He only wants what is best for you.

Devotion, how's that for a resolution?  Have you made any resolutions for the new year?

Photo credit: The Q