Making Resolutions That Matter: What Harley (and the Bible) Can Teach Us About Enduring Change

Every January, gyms in Memphis fill up faster than Beale Street during a blues festival. By February, most of those same spaces are echoing with the sound of... well, not much. Here's the uncomfortable truth: 92% of people abandon their New Year's resolutions before Valentine's Day rolls around.

But my friend Harley? He's different. And before you think I'm talking about motorcycles, let me clarify: Harley Thompson from East Memphis has kept every single resolution he's made for the past seven years. Every. Single. One.

Why Harley Succeeds When Everyone Else Fails

Last year, Harley decided he wanted to learn Spanish. Not because he was planning a trip to Mexico, but because he wanted to better serve the growing Hispanic community at his local Memphis church. By December, he wasn't just conversational: he was leading a bilingual small group.

The year before? He committed to reading through the entire Bible. Not just the "easy" books, but everything from Genesis to Revelation. He finished in November.

What's Harley's secret? It's not what you think.

The Fatal Flaw in Most Resolutions

Traditional resolutions fail because they focus on behavior modification instead of heart transformation. We say things like:

• "I'm going to lose 30 pounds"

• "I'm going to read my Bible every day"

• "I'm going to be more patient with my kids"

These aren't bad goals, but they're built on willpower alone. And willpower, friends, is like a smartphone battery: it drains throughout the day and needs constant recharging.

The Bible has something powerful to say about this in Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Our hearts naturally drift toward comfort, convenience, and the path of least resistance. That's why white-knuckling our way through resolutions never works long-term.

What Harley Understands That Others Miss

Harley doesn't make resolutions. He makes what he calls "heart renovations": changes that start from the inside out, rooted in biblical truth and sustainable systems.

When he wanted to learn Spanish, he didn't just download Duolingo and hope for the best. He asked himself: "How does God want me to serve others better?" Learning Spanish became an act of worship, not just a personal achievement.

His Bible reading goal wasn't about checking boxes. It was about deepening his relationship with Christ and becoming the man God designed him to be. The reading plan was just the vehicle.

Biblical Principles for Lasting Change

Scripture gives us a roadmap for transformation that actually sticks. Here are the core principles Harley follows, and that I've seen work in countless clients here in Memphis:

1. Identity Before Activity (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Harley doesn't try to become disciplined. He believes he IS disciplined because of who Christ has made him to be. This isn't positive thinking: it's gospel truth. When you understand your identity in Christ, your actions begin to align with that reality.

2. Community Over Solo Efforts (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Every goal Harley sets involves community. Learning Spanish? He found a conversation partner at church. Reading the Bible? He joined a men's group that kept each other accountable. Transformation happens best in relationship.

3. Process Over Outcomes (Proverbs 16:9)

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

Harley focuses on systems, not results. Instead of "I want to lose weight," he says "I want to honor God with my body through consistent, healthy choices." The process becomes worship, not drudgery.

Five Biblical Alternatives to Traditional Resolutions

Ready to ditch the failure cycle? Here are five approaches that create lasting change:

1. The Daily Surrender Practice

Instead of: "I'll pray more this year" Try: "Every morning, I'll spend 10 minutes surrendering my day to God"

This isn't about duration: it's about dependence. Start your day acknowledging that apart from Christ, you can do nothing (John 15:5). Make it non-negotiable, like brushing your teeth.

2. The Service-Centered Goal

Instead of: "I'll exercise three times a week" Try: "I'll prepare my body to serve God and others with energy and strength"

When your health goals connect to kingdom purposes, you're not just working out: you're stewarding the temple God gave you (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

3. The Character-Building Challenge

Instead of: "I'll be more patient" Try: "I'll ask God to develop the fruit of patience in me through specific daily practices"

Pick one character trait God wants to develop in you. Then create small, specific practices that allow the Holy Spirit to work. Patience might mean praying for the slow driver in front of you instead of honking.

4. The Relationship Investment Plan

Instead of: "I'll spend more time with family" Try: "I'll invest in one meaningful conversation each week with someone God has placed in my life"

Quality trumps quantity. Schedule it. Protect it. Make it sacred time where phones stay put and hearts stay open.

5. The Growth-Minded Learning Journey

Instead of: "I'll read 50 books this year" Try: "I'll pursue one area of growth that helps me serve God's kingdom better"

Harley's Spanish journey is perfect here. Learning isn't about personal achievement: it's about Kingdom advancement. Maybe it's financial stewardship, parenting skills, or leadership development.

Making It Stick in Memphis (And Everywhere Else)

Here in the Mid-South, we understand something about endurance. We've weathered economic storms, cultural shifts, and more than our share of challenges. The same principles that make Memphis resilient can make your resolutions successful:

Start Small, Build Strong: Like the foundation of any good Memphis barbecue joint, your changes need time to develop depth and richness.

Find Your Tribe: Memphis thrives on community. Your transformation will too. Connect with others at your local church or small group who share your goals.

Celebrate Progress: We know how to celebrate here: from Beale Street to family gatherings. Mark your milestones, no matter how small.

The Power of Grace-Driven Change

Here's what separates biblical transformation from secular self-improvement: grace. When you inevitably stumble (and you will), grace picks you up. When motivation fails (and it will), grace sustains you. When progress feels slow (and it often does), grace reminds you that God is patient with your process.

Harley succeeds because he's learned to rest in God's grace while taking action in God's strength. It's not about perfection: it's about progression in the right direction.

Your Next Steps

This January, instead of making promises you can't keep, make commitments rooted in biblical truth. Start with one heart renovation that connects to God's purposes for your life.

Need help figuring out where to start? That's exactly why God has placed people in your life to help you grow. Whether through mentorship, coaching, or simply connecting with a community that believes in your potential, you don't have to walk this journey alone.

Remember: lasting change isn't about trying harder: it's about surrendering deeper. Let this be the year you discover what Harley already knows: when God's at the center of your goals, transformation becomes not just possible, but inevitable.

Ready to make resolutions that actually matter? Your future self: and everyone God has called you to serve( is counting on it.)