Dear suffering Christian,

It’s that time of year again. The time you have to come up with an obligatory resolution to better yourself and the world around you. The time we try to keep up with the seemingly perfect people who post their latest well intentioned resolves to help their perfect life become even more so.

First of all, those people aren’t perfect and their life isn’t perfect. Let that go. Just do it. Let it go! (fine, hum that song if you want to…as long as you stop comparing yourself.)

So you have just gotten through the holidays. You have smiled when you have felt like crying. You have laughed when a portion of you is dying. You have pushed yourself for the sake of others. Now it’s over. You are tired, exhausted and the last thing you have left in you is an ounce of energy to make a resolution. What does a wounded soul do?

I have 2 suggestions. Do and live.

1. Do. Do the next thing. Simple as that. If you can’t walk in faith then just take a step. If you can’t take another step then just stand. If you can’t stand….sit and pray. Whatever you do, just keep facing God. He will delight in a simple “Wash me”, “Save me”, “Help me.”

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27

He delights in the broken spirit pleading and clinging to Him for help. A broken spirit He will not despise. (see Psalm 51:17) Rest in the fact He loves you and is for you. Though His child is needing to grow in trials still nothing can separate you from His love. (see Romans 8:35)

It’s ok to eat better, lose some weight, and give more to others. Those are great goals but they won’t be the life giving resolution that your soul thirsts for. Which brings me to Live.

2. Live. Live Coram Deo.

To live Coram Deo means to live before the face of God. Somehow, living under the authority of God and for His glory may sound like we are serving a demanding God. But this isn’t so.

It is living in the presence of a loving Savior. To know that His ever present ear and eye is constantly upon you. It’s a reminder that His sovereignty envelopes your life and He hasn’t forgot you. I’ve never understood or felt Coram Deo until my life was shattered by a series of trials.

So, if we choose to live before the face of God…. then what? What does he ask of you? What does he require of you?

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with you God?

Micah 6:8

God doesn’t want us to just live before Him, He wants us to walk with Him. As good as those other resolutions are, they need to come properly aligned under more important priorities. Walking with God.

So friend if you have nothing left in you…. Do and Live, Do the next thing and live before God (I prefer cling to God). Let the rest of the world have their impressive resolutions and goals. This my be your season to just get through and walk with the Lord. Until you get through your valley…do and live.