Beating the 8%.

And here we are. A new year, 2016, has arrived. And you know what comes with a new year, right? New Year’s resolutions. Welcome to this year’s top 10:

Lose weight.
Get organized.
Spend less, save more.
Enjoy life more.
Stay fit and healthy.
Learn something new.
Quit smoking.
Help others more.
Fall in love.
Spend more time with family.

Any of them sound familiar?

I am always a fan of resolutions. Who isn’t? With a new year comes a new start and new page to write a new chapter. Yet, funny thing is, before you can make that resolution, you’re also reminded that less than 8% of those who make resolutions actually commit and follow through! So what’s one to do when faced with the looming 92% failure greeting you at this moment?

Glad you asked.

I recently came across and re-read a book in my office called, On the Move. It’s a tiny little book that was written by Bono, lead singer of U2, and in it you find his speech given to leaders at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, in 2006. My eyes caught this paragraph:

“A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, ‘I have a new song, look after it.’ Or, ‘I have a family, please look after them.’ Or, ‘I have this crazy idea…’ And this wise man said: ‘Stop.’ He said, ‘Stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Get involved in what God is doing- because it’s already blessed.’ Well, God is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing. And this is what He’s calling us to do.”

I loved this shift in perspective. God is already at work in the world and doing some pretty amazing things. Even greater? God’s not looking at a 92% failure rate at accomplishing His greater purpose within the world this year. He’s got a 100% success rate (Jesus saw to that). The good news is that we get to join in! Love these words from Revelation 21:5…

“See, I am making all things new.” Also he said (to John), “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

As we resolve to be better individually in 2016, let’s not forget to join in on the greater resolutions to bring about transformation in a broken world. This my friends is a daily workout the body of Christ must pursue.