Have you ever noticed how many of our resolutions are
driven by self, selfishness and/or negativity?
Stop smoking so I don’t die, stop eating too much so I can lose weight
or not gain weight, don’t exercise enough and that is bad for my heart, work
too much and it impacts the family, and the list goes on and on. With the New Year upon us, how many of our/your
resolutions are driven by bad or negative thoughts, by fear? Please understand there is nothing wrong with
these type of resolutions or other similar type of resolutions especially if
they are needs you need to do. At the
same time do our resolutions tear us down instead of build us up?
What if
instead of focusing our resolutions on what is negative or needs to change we
turned our attention and actions to what we have that is positive, and work to
make them better thus making ourselves better and stronger? Maybe someone likes to talk to people,
friends and strangers alike. What if the
resolution was that while talking to someone you naturally slip a personal,
positive thought or compliment into the conversation? The idea would be to help brighten someone’s
day, to encourage them, to strengthen them.
Maybe there are some who really like to cook, could the resolution be to
find a way to use your passion? There
might be neighbors who do not get home cooked food very often, or parents of
young families who are harried and would love to have a meal or a dish provided
for them with no ulterior motive. What
about those who are good with their hands, schematics, and diagrams what if the
resolution made dealt with fixing things around the house for someone who is
not able to do it? Maybe, you have some
extra time and the resolution could be to volunteer some place like a school or
Feed My Starving Children, Goodwill, or someplace else. There are many who garden. What if a resolution was made to provide a
basket of fresh food each week to the food bank during growing season?
You
might be wondering how are these type of resolutions church related. One way is to remember God has given each and
every one talents, abilities, and gifts of the Spirit for the up-building of
the body of Christ. As we explore and
find out what the Lord has given us we can begin to use and strengthen the
talent, the ability, the gift. We can
use them for the strengthening and building up of the body of Christ and the
members in it. Maybe we find out we have
a passion for something but we have no ability or gifts in it, and are asking
ourselves what do we do then. Guess
what, we can still make a resolution to find a way to make a positive
impact. Think about music as an
example. Many will not sing when people
are around, but in a car, the shower, the workshop these same people will sing,
and maybe not well but they enjoy it and are able to do it in time. What if in a church setting those who do not
sing for any reason, except physically not being able to, sang? Think of the example setting to the children
and to others about it is ok to make a joyful noise to the Lord. Maybe by your singing someone else will be
willing to begin to sing. By using our
gifts and passions we strengthen the body of Christ and our gifts get refined.
A second way the positive
resolutions are church related is that we are called to be a light to the
world. Many times resolutions focus on
the self, losing weight, eating less or healthier, stop cursing, etc. Yes, these can be a light to others in the
name of Jesus, but more often than not we do not think about our resolutions
being for God or for others. What if our
resolutions were focusing on the positives we have and telling others, reaching
out to others all in the name of Jesus Christ.
When someone asks “why are you here fixing up my house” a reply could be
“I made a resolution to use my actions, gifts, and talents in positive ways in
the name of Jesus,” or “I have these abilities/time/desire given to me by God,
and I want to reflect his love for me and the light he has brought to me to
others. This is a way I can do it.”
Resolutions
do not always have to be negative in tone or in response to not meeting yours
or others’ expectations. They can be
positive and up-lifting for you and for others.
What type are you going to make this year.
I hope
your Christmas was blessed with joy, and the New Year be filled with hope and
love,
Pastor Dave
