“Therefore, if you were raised with Christ, look for the things that are above where Christ is sitting at God’s right side. Think about the things above and not things on earth” (Colossians 3:1-2, CEB).

      The time has arrived to make a resolution. I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions. Yet I once told my wife one year that I resolved to get into better shape. Round. She was not impressed.

     I asked a friend recently if he would be making a New Year’s resolution. He replied, “No way. My resolution last year was not to have any more resolutions.”

     Sadly, most people who make New Year’s resolutions expect to fail by the end of January. Only nine percent of those polled will see their resolutions through to success. Not great odds, I’d say.

     Scholars post the reason most of us fail in our endeavors to improve ourselves is because we aim our goals too high. Many New Year’s resolutions carry a heavy dose of perfectionism. The objective is to become completely perfect in some area of life.

     For example, those who endeavor to lose weight often envision a radical change of wardrobe by shrinking from a size sixteen to a size eight. People who aspire toward exercising more frequently declare their intentions to visit the gym five days a week. The predominant mindset is this: the loftier the goal the more laudable the gain.

     However, I believe the problem with which most of us struggle is not that our aim is too high, but that we don’t set our goals high enough. Paul encouraged every follower of Jesus to “look for the things that are above…” (Colossians 3:1). Paul believed that God’s central purpose is to redeem the world and that God uses each of us to fulfill this grand objective.

     Our individual stories are part of a greater narrative. We are living our best lives when our desires and goals are coupled with those of God. When establishing personal plans for the new year, we would do well to aim for a higher purpose.

     What if instead of setting a goal toward increasing our individual exercise regimens, we consider starting a yoga class that might build Christian community, as well as stronger bodies? What if in addition to reading more often, we establish a reading club that might stretch our minds beyond our own interpretations? What if rather than vowing to pray individually more often we enlarge our spiritual life by joining a weekly prayer group?

     My prayer for you is that this year’s resolution NOT be one that goes in one year and out the next. Rather, may you aim your sights toward a plan that enlarges God’s mission of making life better for everyone. Knowing that with God on your side, no goal set is too impossible to reach.