10 January 2016
New Year’s Anti-Resolutions
Have you made any New Year resolutions? To be better? Work harder? Get fitter? Pray more? Read more? Do more? I came across a refreshing tonic to the traditional New Year resolution: the anti-resolution.
Here are a few examples:
– I will not try to get my body into better shape. I’ll learn to love the one I’ve got
– I will not run a marathon. But I might sponsor someone else
– I will not work harder. I’ll accept free and liberating grace
– I will not do more. I’ll glory in Jesus and soak up His rest
– I will not teach my daughter to be a good girl. I’ll tell her about Jesus and His love
– I will not be perfect. I’ll do what I can and know that this is enough
– I will not revolutionise my quiet times with a new reading plan. I’ll plod, quietly but steadily, through God’s word.
The point seems to be this: that many of us begin the new year trying to change ourselves and very quickly realise what a futile effort it is, which leads to guilt, fear and frustration. Rather, as followers of Jesus who delight in his grace, we can resolve to look to him to change us, to make us more like him, more satisfied in him and that leads to joy. Paul says: “I always pray with joy … being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:4-6) So you see, this year don’t try to work harder, rejoice that God is working in you and trust him to transform you.