Resolve to trust in the new year

Sometimes the many joys of Christmas produce a hectic schedule -- hours of Christmas travels to see family near and far, attending Christmas concerts, cantatas, parties and standing in line to get that important last-minute gift. All are good, all are fun (except for standing in line), but between Christmas and New Year's you just need to catch your breath.

The questions between Christmas and New Year's shift. Leading up to Christmas, the big question is, "what do you want for Christmas?" Migrating into the new year, the question is, "what are you going to do different this year?" Even if your resolution for 2010 is to not to make resolutions, there is a lingering sense of wanting to make today better than yesterday. Losing weight, quitting smoking, eating more pie -- what is it that burns in your heart to make this day, this month, this year the picture of your ideal year? Psalm 37 advises us to savor each moment to build a full life every day, not just fulfill a New Year's resolution.

There is one common connection between all peoples of all places regardless of faith or lack thereof. None of us knows what tomorrow brings. We each make plans, we each have dreams.

Some of us have sketched out in detail the next five to 10 years of our lives. In reality, none of us knows what will come our way. Our lives are like snowflakes -- each unique, each special but each gone too soon. This Psalm calls us to living well by trusting in the Lord and doing good.

The person who lives a life of trust understands that our lives are more than the sum of our everyday moments. It is faith when "I didn't see that coming." God did, and he has already charted a path to lead us through. A life of faith, a life of trust will show that my life, the most precious resource I have, is best lived not dependent upon myself but dependent upon the one who formed me and knows my every detail and heart's desire.

Full and rich everyday living begins with trusting God wholeheartedly, no holds barred. My real life begins when I trust God for everything I need. The best resolution for 2010 is to wake every day and say, "God, not matter what, I trust you."

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com.