10 Important New Year's Resolutions for Citizens of the Kingdom of God

Since I’m a citizen of the Kingdom of God, I thought I’d design my 2011 New Year’s resolutions to hold eternal significance. I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a long way to go in learning the culture of the Kingdom. A list of New Year’s resolutions helps keep me focused and moving forward. If you find items on this list useful, add them to your New Year’s list as well.

1. Learn to laugh like a child again. Joy is the atmosphere of the Kingdom (see Psalm 16:11).
2. Be available to love and minister, but avoid being dragged into other people’s dramas. You lose your sense of God’s perspective when you become a cast member in someone’s emotional performance.
3. Take a day once a week to avoid responsibilities by placing those ever present obligations in the hands of the Lord. It’s called a Sabbath day.
4. Refuse to criticize others. You wouldn’t do that in Heaven, would you?
5. Read God’s Word. You will be spending eternity future with the Word Made Flesh, so get to know him through his written Word.
6. Worship the Lord with your full focus at least once a day. He deserves it.
7. Dine and visit with friends regularly this year. Consider it a rehearsal for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
8. If you must make assumptions, always assume the best of another. Whether your assumption is true or not, it makes for better communication (see Philippians 4:8).
9. Make time for play at least once a day. Play keeps your attitude childlike, and Jesus recommends this attitude (see Matthew 18:3).
10. Take your time. Slow down. Enjoy what God has given you. After all, it is your time to take.

Of course it’s one thing to make this list—now I have to live it! It will go beside my Bible and prayer book so I’m sure to revisit it at least once a day as a reminder and as an accountability check list.So, what do you think—can you add to this list of New Year’s Resolutions?What about your New Year’s resolutions? What are you aiming for in 2011? We’d love to have your input.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis