a resolution for the new year

The New Year is a season of celebration, reflection, anticipation – and resolutions. But one has to wonder: Just how effective are these undertakings? Studies confirm what experience tells us, that most go unfulfilled. Estimates suggest that fewer than 10% of those making resolutions will succeed. This is the time of year when diets begin and gym membership peaks. Yet, when the initial ambition wears off, many find it difficult to sustain any lasting momentum.

 

Now, please don’t misunderstand; I am certainly a proponent of efforts at self-improvement. But how many such pledges are only superficial? If I were to guess, I would say that most are little more than skin deep. The unspoken assumption goes something like, "If only I were thinner/fitter/more organized/ thriftier/healthier/less addicted then I would be happy." And perhaps in many cases this is true. But are we going to become thinner/fitter/more organized/thriftier/healthier/less addicted by sheer willpower alone? Not likely. We neglect the reality that we're not solely physical beings. As a quote often attributed to C.S. Lewis says, “You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”

 

The truth, then, is that we have it backwards. We don't improve the soul by fixing the body; we improve the body by fixing the soul. Jesus alluded to this when he said, “A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart” (Luke 6:45, NLT).

 

Perhaps this year we should challenge ourselves with resolutions of a more substantial nature. My wife read about choosing a word to which you aspire in the New Year. For example, someone might choose faithful:

 

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!’” (Matthew 25:21, NLT)

Faithful in relationships, faithful in the workplace, faithful in finances, faithful in the church -  this is, no doubt, an admirable aspiration. Much more meaningful than, say, losing 10 pounds.

 

Or one might select the word love:

 

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these…” (Matthew 22:37-40, NLT)

To love God and people well: What loftier goal can we set for ourselves than this?  Surely relationships are a much worthier investment than neatness or thrift.

 

Friends, let us remember that each new day is a gift, an opportunity to be all that God intended us to be. May we daily aim for the nobility of character and soul that is possible through Jesus. This year, let us resolve to be the embodiment of Christ to our world.