So, what’s on your list of resolutions? You saw what God had for me on last year’s list in my last post, Resolve My Life. This year, I’m choosing to worry less and anticipate more. Yep, that’s my plan. Life is short and I refuse to spend any more time worrying about it. Most resolutions are created to build more time for someday. We eat better and exercise to live longer lives. We get organized in order to save time. We invest so down the road perhaps. . .  All good things worth pursuing, but many times motivated by worry.

Worry is one of those things that we should also put on our list of things to avoid in the coming year. It actually does just the opposite those resolutions are striving to accomplish. It chips away at time, taking away precious moments. But anticipation, that’s entirely a different matter. Anticipation adds to life. It looks forward with positive focus. It doesn’t just add to the moment. It multiplies it.

So, here’s the plan. I am going to stop fretting and start savoring life right where it is. I don’t want to miss a second of the time I have here on this earth. I am anticipating a good, long life, but nothing is certain. Add that to the fact that I will be turning . . .dare I say it, 60 in 2016, I have no time for worry.

You know what they say—expect the best, plan for the worst. It does not say worry about the worst, but rather plan. My plan for the worst is to be completely connected to God so I can expect the best outcome when that worst moment arrives. God’s got the details worked out. My part is to trust that fact.

OK, this does make me a little anxious. (Is that the same as worry?) Most plans need to be tested, and I sure this one will go through a rigorous examination as well. But, what are we are proving? My ability to remain connected to God? His ability to stay connected to me? This passage from Psalm 139 keeps coming to mind as I wor. . .ponder about this probability—

Where can I go to escape your spirit? Where can I flee to escape your presence? If I were to ascend to the heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be. If I were to fly away on the wings of dawn, and settle down on the far side of the sea, even there you hand will guide me, you right hand would grab hold of me.

Psalm 139:7-10

That makes it pretty clear. Whether experiencing heaven or hell in my life, God is there. Not just there, but guiding me, gripping hold of me, His hand holding mine. The test will result in the same conclusion every time—God and I will remain connected. The best part is that even though the plan may be up to me, God will bring the results. He’s good that way. There is a little verse in Proverbs 21 that says that exact thing:

 Do your best, prepare for the worst, then trust God to bring the victory.

 Proverbs 21:31 The Message

This sounds very familiar. The quote that I began this ramble with finishes like this—

Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.

Denis Waitley

I’m looking forward to the victorious surprises that are sure to show this year. In the meantime, I will enjoy watching for what the Lord will do with our plan along the way. I hope you’re ready to experience yours.

Life is short, and we should respect every moment of it.

Orhan Pamuk

Next week- Psalm 51: Renew My Spirit