Tis the season for all kinds of resolutions. Surely by now you’ve seen multiple articles and blog posts about doing resolutions in a more effective way. Focus on a few things. Enjoy more of this. Do less of that. There are so many different approaches to changing our lives in the new year, and I’m not here to add to the mix of what to resolve or how to resolve or what should go on your list. You know yourself, what you can handle, and what your life is missing. I don’t. I just know the kinds of messes I’ve made and what I need to resolve.

However, I would like to challenge us this year. Not to do more or to do less, but to do better.

There are a host of items on my list. Things pertaining to my family life and my physical health. I have personal goals for my writing and schedules to keep for my household, and I’m sure you have similar lists – if not on paper then undoubtedly scrolling through your mind. None of these things, though, are the better part. They are good, and they are commendable. But they are not first (Matt. 6:33). They cannot be first.

Instead, my year (and hopefully yours!) is going to be focused on the better. Choosing righteousness and fellowship with God. Choosing to fill my mind with His wisdom instead of our culture. Choosing to give to His cause instead of my desires. And when I do those things – when I am filled to the brim with better things – then everything else will fall into place. My marriage will benefit. My relationships will benefit. My health will benefit. My writing will benefit. Everything will benefit if I will consistently choose the better.

How many times have I read the words of my Savior, urging Martha to choose Him instead of the busyness and distractions the world offers? How many times have I shrugged the verse off, claiming that’s not me? Well it is, err, was me. But this year, I’m not going to let it be. This year I will choose the better part. I will choose Jesus, His righteousness, and God’s will.

Here are a few verses that I’d like to leave with you for meditation. All of them feature the word better. Focus on what is better within these verses and implement these truths into your life. You won’t be disappointed. I won’t be disappointed. And most importantly, the Lord won’t be disappointed.

A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked (Psalm 37:16)

It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man (Psalm 118:8).

The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver (Psalm 119:72).

For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her (Prov. 8:11).

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble (Prov. 15:16).

May God bless the time He has given us. May we glorify God with the time He gives us. Sure, we can do more. And sure, we could do less. Regardless, we must do better. We must be better. We must choose better.