My uncle always makes a big deal about making a list of New Year's resolutions, although a month or two later he forgets all about them. Now he's bugging me to make a list. Why should I bother? It'll just make me feel guilty when I fail to keep them. — L.K.

Your uncle is like countless people who make resolutions this time of year - and then fail to keep them. Perhaps they never try to keep them; perhaps they don't have a practical plan to reach them; perhaps their list was more of a "wish list" than an actual commitment to do better.

But this doesn't mean it's useless for you to write down some goals for the new year - not at all. For one thing, it will make you look at your life and think about where you're headed - and that can be a good thing. Far too many people go through life without ever stopping to think about the road they're on, and whether or not it's the right one. Jesus warned, "Wide is the gate and broad is the road the leads to destruction, and many enter through it" (Matthew 7:13).

What should your goals be for the coming year? The most important resolution you can make is to commit your life to Christ and live for Him. God made you, and He loves you so much that He sent His Son into the world to give His life for you. Can anything be more important than following Christ?

Begin this new year by asking Jesus Christ to come into your life - and He will. Then ask Him to help you follow Him and grow closer to Him every day.