Did You Make a New Year's Resolution?

I find the old habit of making New Year's resolutions to be disappearing.  In fact I cannot think of one person who told me that they had made a resolution this year.  I wonder what the dynamic is here? Perhaps it is just that the conversation has not gone in that direction, but I think something deeper is at work.   Is it that people have a dismal record of keeping those resolutions and now have given up on making new ones?  Is it that our society has become so permissive that we are losing the feeling of urgency about self-improvement?  Are we just becoming soft because life is good and the idea of self-discipline is abhorrent? As someone who is constantly working with volunteers I am finding that it is more difficult than ever to inspire volunteers to give their very best to the cause.  There is a sense whatever we give is good enough.  I am not sure, however, that this is the attitude we are called to have.  Jesus said: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  (Matthew 5:48)  Paul the apostle wrote to the Corinthians:  "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Let us not give up on our efforts to become more like Jesus.  Instead let us work toward excellence for the Lord.