It's probably cliche to observe that many people make and break New Year's resolutions. According to a New York Times article four out of five resolvers will cease to follow through on their commitment within a month. In a society that has a hard time adhereing to vows that promise "until death do us part." it's probably not surprising that annual resolutions don't meet with much success.  As a general rule we've given up reaching for the stars and are willing to settle for a few days departure of our normal habits.

Christians, however, have viewed resolutions differently throughout history. Mostly famously may be "The Resolutions" by Jonathan Edwards, a list of commitments made by a young man desiring a heart for God (For more on Edwards' list, click here). Strengthend by the Holy Spirit, Christians have made resolutions that enable them to more fully pursue God and His will for their lives.

One such resolution that Christians may consider this year to make is "to serve before kings." (Proverbs 22:29)  Its a resolution that I often encourage my business students to make. For each of them, just like each of us, have been given a vocation - an opportunity to serve God and demonstrate the Gospel through the work that He has given us. The ministry we have may be in business, in the arts, in education, in medicine, in the law, at home, or in a variety of other settings. Our job is to make sure that regardless of the area that we are in fact "skilled" in our work so that the work we do is not lost to obscurity. Often we choose to settle for less than excellence as we think that the only one impacted is ourselves. But in fact our witness for Christ is also impacted when we do not develop our skills and talents to the fullest potential. Because its in becoming skilled that we get the opportunity to serve regally and not before obscured men.

This isn't to say that everyone who promises to use their skills and talents for God's glory will become famous. Many a talented Christian had a relatively small circle of impact. However, it is not our job to worry about how God will use the skills, merely that we are doing everything we can to make this offering one that is pleasing to Him.