A New Year's Revolution

Although I'm generally not the type of person who makes official New Year's resolutions, it's natural to view January 1 as the first page of a new chapter in our lives. When the holidays are officially over most of us return to the routines of daily life and decide, either intentionally or subconsciously, whether or not to maintain habits (good or bad) that we've developed over the years. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions are short-lived and leave us feeling discouraged by failure, either because we simply lacked the commitment to follow through or because our optimism in December led us to set unreasonable goals that all but doomed us to failure in the first place.

Of course that's not to say you shouldn't make any New Year's resolutions for fear of breaking them. After all, who doesn't have room for improvement in their life? And while the world focuses primarily on things like weight loss and financial planning, Christians are also called to look beyond what is temporary to that which is "profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (1 Timothy 4:8). Items falling into this category could include a decision to read through the Bible in a year, strengthening your prayer life through regular fasting, or deciding to memorize more Scripture. Whether or not Scripture memorization made your original list of New Year's resolutions, it is by far one of the most rewarding disciplines I am able to recommend - and it's never too late to start! My decision in 2009 to make regular Scripture memorization a permanent part of my life has revolutionized every aspect of my walk with God: my prayer life has been strengthened, my faith has matured, and my boldness to share the Gospel with others has grown significantly. If you're just getting started in your journey memorizing, resist the temptation to link lofty goals with your overall decision to memorize. If you are somehow able to learn all of Romans by next Christmas, great! But if not, don't be discouraged and give up altogether. A lifetime of successful Scripture memorization is like a marathon, not a mile-long sprint; it requires dedication over the long haul much more than a fleeting burst of energy that is prone to leave us as quickly as it came.

Have you made any New Year's resolutions concerning your Bible study routine and commitment to Scripture memorization? If so, consider sharing your resolution with a close friend or family member and ask them to keep you accountable throughout the year. Better yet, ask them to join you in memorizing a specific passage of Scripture, or choose from one of our topical memory books with pre-selected verses and study notes. However you choose to embrace Scripture memorization in 2015, my prayer is that your resolution is more than just an item on this year's to-do list, but the beginning of a new and better chapter in your walk with God - a New Year's revolution!