It’s that time of year when we pause, reflect, regret, repent and resolve to make some changes.

I can’t say for certain, but I imagine losing weight and getting fit has to be at the top of the list for a few million people. Others desire to quit drinking or smoking, get out of debt, spend more time with family and friends and read more books.

If you are a person of faith, resolving to spend focused time reading the Bible might be a big one, too.

When it comes to making New Year’s Resolutions, I don’t have a specific top 10 list. I do reflect on the past and set personal goals for the future. That’s important.

This season of taking personal inventory is like a much needed wheel alignment. I just haven’t codified my thinking into a specific list of resolutions.

If, however, I was pressed to make a short list, perhaps the best thing I could do would be to echo something spoken by author and evangelist Jonathan Edwards back in the 1700’s. See if you don’t agree that these two resolutions are so simple, yet so powerful:

Resolution 1: I will live for God.

Resolution 2: If no one else does, I still will.

When you think about it, change and growth lies at the heart of our Christian walk. Each of us is a work in progress. We should always be growing and changing. Jesus lived a perfect life in a fallen world to help show us the way. But He does more than just show us – He will mold us if we let Him.

It was the prophet Isaiah who wrote, “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8).”

What about you?