The 8%: Keeping Faith in 2015
45% of American’s have made the decision to change in 2015. Of those resolution-makers, only 8% will keep ‘their commitment to their commitment’ (Forbes, 2014). What can we do to be a part of the elite 8% that achieves their goals in 2015? More importantly, how can we strengthen our faith in 2015?
If we want this year to be better, we must become better. To improve, we must set goals and intentionally set a course for the New Year. Our goals need to be simple, tangible, and “hyperlinked” to our daily routines to become habits. By creating habits we lower our tendency to become part of the 92% of Americans who fail at New Year commitments.
For many resolution-makers, faith may be low on the resolution list. It remains low until you are low on money, low on health, or low on hope. We forget how important our faith is until it is either too late, an emergency, divorce happens, or a phone call that involves the word cancer—where each moment becomes so critical with our loved ones. Faith should not be our last resort, but should become this year’s highest priority. A resolution we truly decide to commit to.
To strengthen our faith in 2015, we must change our daily routine by hyperlinking new habits. Hyperlinking is linking a new habit to a daily ritual that currently takes place without fail. Daily routines such as waking up, brushing our teeth, showering, and transiting to and from work or school—these are all opportunities to insert a hyperlink to connect us to a new habit. We will look at three ways to hyperlink our faith in our daily lives, by considering these three areas: reading of the Word, listening to Worship, and dedication time in Prayer.
Reading the Bible is important and also it is different today. Whether you are a “leather bound” reader or a “digital scroller," do what version works for you. Keep it simple by setting aside a few minutes to read your Bible, devotional, or smartphone application such as YouVersion (https://www.youversion.com). Hyperlink it to your morning routine by reading it immediately after you silence your alarm. Make it tangible by keeping your Bible beside your couch, open, bookmarked, and ready. Keep it simple, hyperlink it to you’re routine, and make it a permanent part of 2015.
I personally use the YouVersion App, read a NLT version study Bible, and keep a faith-based book going year round. I use the YouVersion App to read just the “Verse of the Day,” simple but consistent. I read The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren annually, but continually read similar books year round. While the YouVersion App offers a plethora of options and there are a fire hose of great books out there, I suggest keeping it simple, using small steps, and attaching it to part of your morning routine. Read the verse or a page before brushing your teeth—make it a habit.
Today’s verse was: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19 NLT
I believe if you are here reading this, then it is not an accident—God is about to do something new in 2015 with you, can you see it?
Worship is more than just hymns or “Christian music.” It is bringing pleasure to God with anything you do for him. It can be conducting a sermon or being silent in prayer. It can be taking notes from the Bible or writing a sympathy card for a loved one, a testimony, or hugging a child. “Worship is not just part of your life, it is your life” (Warren, 2002). Living your life daily can be an act of worship, but for this post, lets focus on worship music!
Keep it simple but powerful. Listen to your favorite worship song when you first get into the shower and clean your heart also. Strategically hyperlink a worship song to your gym playlist or let it blast in the background as you get dressed in the morning. Create a YouTube playlist of your favorite worship songs that equal the amount of time it should take to be ready—now it is a tangible way to ensure you are on time also! Keep it simple and hyperlink it to something you do every day in the morning.
I have listened to “Oceans” by Hillsong UNITED before I start my work out for too long! I sing in the shower unless I am showering at work, then it is silent of course. My YouTube playlist includes my favorite songs that get my mind right before I start my day traveling to work. Keep it simple and inject some powerful worship music into your morning routine, then continue to worship throughout the day!
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
Prayer is the direct-line with the One who created us. A way we can share our lives, express gratitude, and give our mistakes to God so he can help us overcome them. It is still an act of worship, obedience, and the way to acknowledge how God is in control of our lives. It is where we ask for the strength to keep our commitments and where we trust his commitment to us. It is the meditation of God’s promises to never leave us, to prosper us, tell him our concerns, and lay everything down for him to take care of. If you are going to pray then do not worry, but if you are going worry, then you shouldn’t pray—did I just say that? Philippians 4:6 states “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” This is the phone call to your heavenly dad and where he says, “I got your back, so just trust me.” Can there be a better feeling than knowing God, our heavenly father, has our backs?
I created a P-R-A-Y-E-R acronym:
Lord I praise you. I thank you for creating me and allowing me to live this life. I appreciate all you have given me, my family, friends, and give me the courage to love them the way you love me. God I thank you for being my foundation and the center of my life.
God I repent of my mistakes. I thank you for Jesus taking my sin to the cross so I can be saved and go to Heaven. Lord, I declare today that Jesus has made me brand new and I will be bold living for Christ.
Lord I ask for you to be with my family and my friends. You know their troubles, challenges, and trials; Lord I ask that you lead them through those supernaturally. I ask for you to be with our nation’s leaders and those that serve to protect it. Comfort those families who have lost loved ones, be with those less fortunate and meet their needs. Lord, I ask for the courage to continue to live for you, get closer to you, and live out the purpose you placed inside of me.
God give me the strength, wisdom, and discernment to live this life for You. Allow all my actions be a light on a hill for Your glory alone. That whatever I do, I do it giving honor to You in the name of Jesus. Let my speech, actions, and faith in motion reveal that You are alive in me. Allow me to be a beacon to the hope You have given me and lead others to a relationship with You.
Lord, give me the confidence to know I am your child and to expect miracles. Give me the faith to expect favor, expect good things to follow me, and see Your love poured out in my life. Lord in the grace given, allow me to give it, and give me the vision to believe in the things unseen. Allow me to walk by faith, Lord and not by sight. To eagerly wait in expectation, on Your timing, that good things are coming my way because You love me.
God stretch my heart open enough where I can fully receive all You have for me in this life. Lord when I sell myself short, allow me to receive Your word fully, and go beyond myself to receive all Your promises, all Your assurance, and be bold in my walk receiving the power given through Christ. Lord, remind me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
This acronym can be helpful as a guide, however, there is a better guide. Read Matthew 6:9 and understand how Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. This model or pattern is from the Master himself!
Lastly, we may be the 8% of the committed that achieve the success of meeting our resolutions, or we may be a part of the 92% that fail. In 2015, remember that God is 100% committed to you whether you fail or not—know they he will NOT fail you. He numbered our days and knows our hearts. Perhaps the most important decision, one that supersedes 2015 and our years on earth, is accepting the love God has for you today. I am sure God has a plan for your 2015, but he also provides an eternal opportunity. He has sent Jesus to account for all our failures. Accepting him determines more than 2015. It determines more than the number of your days, it determines your eternity.
Having faith in 2015 means to me, coming closer to God in our daily lives. I hope these hyperlinks can serve you well in 2015 and make a difference in your life and those you love. May we all get closer to God this year and allow him to write the thickest chapters of our lives.
“Come close to God and God will come close to you.” James 4:8
Warren, R. (2002). The purpose-driven life: What on earth am I here for? Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan.
Just 8% of People Achieve Their New Year's Resolutions. Here's How They Do It. (Forbes)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2013/01/01/just-8-of-people-achieve-their-new-years-resolutions-heres-how-they-did-it/
