So, it's a new year. Did you make a New Year's Resolution? Have you broken it yet?
Who began the practice of making a resolution at the start of a new year anyway? Who was the first person who introspectively examined themselves on the first of January and said, "I can do better… I'm going to resolve to do this, or not to do that"?
It's only natural to have thoughts of improving oneself on January 1. I guess what I feel sad about is that there are 364 other days of the year we ought to be thinking the same thing (365 other days this year).
You know what? I want to start something new. I'd like you all to hit the "comment" button and let me know what your "tomorrow" resolution will be. Don't worry about whether you can keep your resolution (stay resolved) for the entire year. Just let me know what you resolve to do tomorrow.
Don't be shy. I'll go first:
I resolve to exhibit the grace of Jesus Christ tomorrow.
That's it. Just tomorrow.
Not that I won't want to exhibit the grace of Jesus Christ the next day… just that I'll resolve to do that again the next day. It's not one big resolution that I'm going to try to keep all year. It's one little resolution that I'm going to renew every day.
It's way too long from one January First to the next. I need to wipe the slate clean and try again every day, not just once a year. If I fail, I won't have to carry the burden that I blew it for the entire year. I just blew it for a day. Tomorrow's a new day.
Consider Paul's resolution in 1 Corinthians 2:2 ---
"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
If I am resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, then it will be easier to remember that:
- he died for everybody, not just me.
- he loves me and enjoys watching me make the attempt to improve
- he doesn't keep score of how many times I mess up
- I have no right to keep score of how many times others mess up
- I don't even have the right to define what constitutes "messed up"
I don't care what your New Year's Resolution is. Tell me what you will resolve to do TOMORROW.
Who began the practice of making a resolution at the start of a new year anyway? Who was the first person who introspectively examined themselves on the first of January and said, "I can do better… I'm going to resolve to do this, or not to do that"?
It's only natural to have thoughts of improving oneself on January 1. I guess what I feel sad about is that there are 364 other days of the year we ought to be thinking the same thing (365 other days this year).
You know what? I want to start something new. I'd like you all to hit the "comment" button and let me know what your "tomorrow" resolution will be. Don't worry about whether you can keep your resolution (stay resolved) for the entire year. Just let me know what you resolve to do tomorrow.
Don't be shy. I'll go first:
I resolve to exhibit the grace of Jesus Christ tomorrow.
That's it. Just tomorrow.
Not that I won't want to exhibit the grace of Jesus Christ the next day… just that I'll resolve to do that again the next day. It's not one big resolution that I'm going to try to keep all year. It's one little resolution that I'm going to renew every day.
It's way too long from one January First to the next. I need to wipe the slate clean and try again every day, not just once a year. If I fail, I won't have to carry the burden that I blew it for the entire year. I just blew it for a day. Tomorrow's a new day.
Consider Paul's resolution in 1 Corinthians 2:2 ---
"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
If I am resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, then it will be easier to remember that:
- he died for everybody, not just me.
- he loves me and enjoys watching me make the attempt to improve
- he doesn't keep score of how many times I mess up
- I have no right to keep score of how many times others mess up
- I don't even have the right to define what constitutes "messed up"
I don't care what your New Year's Resolution is. Tell me what you will resolve to do TOMORROW.
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