Part of the celebration of the New Year for most people is the creation of New Year’s resolutions.  These resolutions are goals that people would like to achieve before the next year begins.  Resolutions can be anything.  Some people resolve to gain a better body through better eating habits and regular exercise.  Some resolve to finish their education and gain a degree.  Others resolve to gain an experience of a lifetime on a trip that they have always wanted.  Still others resolve to gain promotions on their jobs.   Resolutions are for the most part a good thing.  They help people focus on what they want to accomplish in a year’s time.  Unfortunately, most New Year’s resolutions are forgotten by the second week of January.

In keeping with the tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions I have a few of my own.  However, my resolutions are not about gaining things, but about losing some things.  I have resolved to go through my stuff and start getting rid of some things.  I have a closet full of dress shirts.   Some of them are old and never worn anymore.  I have some suits that no longer fit me.  I have some other junk that I just need to clean up and get rid of.   It is time to start clearing away the clutter.  Whether I decide to sell it all in a yard sale, gift it to the local Goodwill store, or just throw it in the trash, it is definitely time to start losing some things.

But these are all just physical resolutions.  I have also made some spiritual ones as well.  I resolve to lose wasted time so I can clean up my calendar to make more room for God.  I resolve to lose sins and any uncleanness in my heart.  I resolve to lose any bitterness or resentment that I may have toward someone else.  I resolve to lose my pride and to walk humbly before the Lord.  I resolve to lose my selfishness and become His servant.  I resolve to lose my excuses and win some more people to the Kingdom.

My physical resolution of losing things and getting rid of stuff will help me gain more space in my home.  Removing the clutter will allow my family and I to enjoy each other’s company without the constant pressure of clutter all around.  It hopefully will make life much less stressful for all of us.  It might even generate a little extra income in a yard sale.

The beauty of losing all of these spiritual things, is that I will gain so much more than I will lose.  I will gain a deeper walk with the Lord.  I will gain a clear conscience and be able to stand pure before the Lord.  I will gain a renewed fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I will gain the chance to see God work in my life and in my ministry.   I will gain new family in Christ Jesus.  Ultimately, I will gain Heaven as my home.  So this New Year, are you resolved to lose?