When I was around 12 or 13 years old I made an important resolution; I decided I would stop sinning. That’s right, stop sinning. I figured that I could go about a week, at least a few days, but I wanted to stop sinning. So I watched the ball drop in Times Square, and then went to my bedroom to read the Bible and I fell asleep praying. At around 10 I got up and I went to my brother and told him that I had not sinned all year long! That seemed kind of prideful to me so my “no sinning” streak lasted about 10 hours and 8 of them I was asleep.

Most of the resolutions we make are almost as silly. We make these “vows” thinking that if we complete them we will be happy and become a better version of ourselves. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, as long as we keep something very important in mind. You see even the very best version of you isn’t good enough for heaven. We are broken, and nothing we can do merits heaven. If you are trying to earn God’s favor by becoming a better version of you, know this, there is nothing you can do to gain His favor and love. You have all of the love you could possibly have from Him. He died for you and is willing to do whatever it takes to transform you from the best version of you, and instead, make you look just like His Son.

Paul wrote, “I beg you by the mercy of God that you will present your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12) Don’t settle for the best version of yourself, allow Him to transform you into someone who can change the world!