A Resolution That Actually Works

Five days into the new year, and let’s be honest—some of those resolutions we made with such enthusiasm are already feeling shaky. We start strong, full of motivation to change, but so often, our goals don’t make it past January.

Why? Maybe it’s because we treat our resolutions like a to-do list rather than focusing on what actually drives real, lasting change. We stack up priorities without ever addressing the priority.

That’s why I love the story in Matthew 9. Jesus gives us one invitation that changes everything: “Follow me.”

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The Invitation That Changes Everything

Matthew was a tax collector—a sellout, hated by his people and isolated by his choices. He had wealth but no real community, status but no true belonging. Then Jesus walks by his tax booth, looks him in the eye, and says two simple words: “Follow me.”

And without hesitation, Matthew gets up and follows. No questions. No negotiations. No “But first, let me…” Just a decision to leave behind the old life and step toward something better.

Did you notice what Matthew doesn’t ask? He doesn’t ask where they’re going. Why? Because he already knows that wherever Jesus is leading is better than where he’s been.

That’s the resolution we need. Not just to do better, but to follow better.

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Why We Stay Stuck

Matthew 9 actually introduces us to three different people who are stuck in different ways:

1. A Paralyzed Man – Physically stuck, but also stuck in his own doubt. His friends had faith Jesus could heal him, but he didn’t seem so sure.
2. Matthew, the Tax Collector – Stuck in the consequences of his past choices, isolated and trapped by the life he built.
3. The Pharisees – Stuck in their self-righteousness, thinking they had everything under control while completely missing the point.

Different struggles, but the same core issue: they couldn’t free themselves.

And isn’t that true for us? We chase control, but our habits keep us trapped. We chase approval, but our past decisions leave us burdened with guilt. We chase self-improvement, but we still feel empty.

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The Priority That Unsticks Us

Jesus doesn’t hand out a checklist. He doesn’t say, “Here are the ten things you need to fix before you can follow me.” He simply says, “Follow me.”

That’s the difference between a resolution and a resurrection. Resolutions try to patch up our old lives. But following Jesus? It leads to an entirely new life.

It’s not about striving harder. It’s about trusting deeper.

Maybe this year, instead of trying to fix everything on your own, you just need to get up and follow. Step out of the paralysis of fear, the shame of past mistakes, or the illusion of control. Wherever Jesus is leading is better than wherever you’ve been.

Reflection Questions

1. What’s an area of your life where you feel “stuck”? How might Jesus be inviting you to follow Him out of it?
2. Like Matthew, is there something you’re holding onto that’s keeping you from fully following Jesus?
3. What would it look like to make following Jesus your main priority this year, rather than just adding Him to a list of resolutions?

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