The Redeemed Rose

  A new year. A fresh start. Turning over a new leaf. So many of us look forward to better things to come as we turn that last calendar page over to reveal a clean slate. We long for better health, mended relationships, spiritual victories, and success in a myriad of other areas. So we make New Year's resolutions and vow that this year will be different...better somehow. But should we even make New Year's resolutions, and if so, how do we know they will stick? I typically do not make New Year's resolutions because I believe that if there is something I want to change in my life, I can do it any of the 364 other days of the year. There is nothing sacred or holy about January 1. If I want change that badly, why wait? I have made New Year's resolutions in the past (when I was younger), such as losing X amount of lbs. or exercising more. Most of those goals only lasted till the end of January, IF THAT!!  There is nothing wrong with wanting change for the better...

For next year, 2015, my goal is to memorize the book of Ephesians. It is one of my favorites that I go back to over and over again, and it is only 6 chapters. I do not share this goal to make you feel bad or make myself look like a super-Christian, because I'm not and there aren't any. I share it because I am 31 years old and tired of not having more Scripture committed to memory. I share it because my goal this year is to go deeper in what I have learned thus far, and not just heap up knowledge upon more knowledge that only puffs up the brain and doesn't change me on the inside, "always learning but never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7). Part of that is memorizing scripture. Don't get me wrong, I love to learn and I will continue to do so. I believe we should keep learning until we die. But I want to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18) and be a tree firmly planted by streams of water (Ps. 1:3) with ...