This time of year, we are all tempted to make resolutions. We are going to work out more, eat less, read more, watch TV less and on and on goes the list. It is sad, but experts tell us that those kinds of resolutions made in January are usually gone by mid February.

Part of the problem is our nature. We are ready to say we want to change, but not ready to discipline ourselves towards that change. So, we tend to just cycle through the process over and over again.

An article was brought to my attention by my pastor, entitled “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters.” It sure does speak to this issue.

“Chapter One- I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost. I am hopeless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two- I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in this same place. But it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three-I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there. I still fall in, it is a habit, but my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter Four-I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter Five-I walk down another street.”

Is there another street that you ought to be walking down this week? Perhaps we should all avoid lukewarm resolutions and instead just choose another route.

It may take some discipline. It may require some accountability. It may even “hurt” a bit, but changes can be made. It all starts with an honest evaluation. Then we make a plan. Then we share the plan. Then we work the plan.

Let’s plan to choose another street!

By His Grace and for His Glory,
Sherry L. Worel