It is almost 2017! Just let that sink in for a minute.

Based upon who reads newspapers, most of you are old enough to be stunned by the thought that 2017 is upon us.

One thing is for sure. It’s not going to wait. "Ready or not, here it comes."

Every year, people make a handful of resolutions for New Year’s. Some do so in a formal way, writing them down, and sharing them with family or friends. Others quietly commit to a particular action or to change a habit.

I have never been one to write down resolutions every year and make a big deal over them. But I do take some time at the beginning of each new year to reflect on what has been accomplished, and what has been left undone.

What do I need to change? What do I need to do better? What do I need to keep doing?

All of these questions matter. They are important. And, quite frankly, we need to ask them more frequently than we do. In his instructions about the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11 Paul writes, "Let a man examine himself."

This was clearly in the context of taking part in the ordinance. It’s a dangerous thing to participate without careful self-examination.

But the statement can be applied to all of life, and clearly it is not referring to men alone. All of us need regularly to examine our ways, our thoughts and our words. Do the things I do, think and say bring honor to God and blessing to others?

I could make dozens of resolutions for the year that might make me better: Lose weight. Save money. Talk less. Listen more. But the greatest things I can commit to do are much simpler: Live for Jesus. Give him glory. Follow him wherever he leads.

Will you join me in that journey? It is the road to a happy New Year.