New Year’s Resolutions!
So,
how is your New Year’s Resolution going?
Often people share with me their resolution for the New Year. Most of them are generally the same; lose
weight, spend more time with family, check off something off the bucket list, build
or fix something, all good stuff. For a
while I avoided making resolutions like these; mainly because I ended up
failing on all of them. Well now I have
been making the same Resolution for the past couple of years, which I’ll share
with you in a moment. First, the before
and after story;
Back
when I tried making a New Year’s Resolution it centered around my weight. As many of you know from my “I Like Walking”
sermon/story I had a serious weight problem in my 20s which effected me
negatively both physically and emotionally.
When you look in the mirror and you don’t like what you see, it tends to
drag you down. Well I was going to make
a positive difference in myself, I was going to get active, lose weight, and
change my life! These weren’t little fantasy
pep-talks. I would buy new tennis shoes
to get moving, I would change my diet, and I even bought an iPod (when they
were new) so I would have something to listen to as I soldiered forward! Guess how long my resolutions lasted? Two weeks, sometimes three. That’s it.
And the reasons were the same; life got disruptive, I lacked the time
(so I thought), I got discouraged, etc.
After a few rounds of hoping high and getting disappointed I said to
myself, “Forget it!” Why set myself up
for disappointment?
Then
my life did change. God brought a
loving, encouraging, and inspiring woman into my life who saw more potential in
me than I did in myself. I am talking
about my wife Renee as you may have guessed.
With gentle nudges and sometimes forceful shoves she got me off my feet,
helped me find the time in my life I felt I lacked, and the 7 year journey of
“I Like Walking” began. It took a long
time, but after all this time from walking slowly down the sidewalk to enduring
insane exercises at the gym I am now healthier, more optimistic, and satisfied
than I have ever been in my life! Even
so, I know that I can do better. I can
always improve myself, push myself, and remove what limits me from living
fruitfully. So this leads me back to the
whole New Year’s Resolutions solution;
First
off a quick stat; most of us who set a Resolution for the New Year will fail
(as did I). According to a study from
the University of
Scranton Concord and back.” Almost 3 miles, every day except Sunday. While that was harder than I was prepared
for, I was working toward a more reasonable New Year’s Resolution (even though
I didn’t call it that). I had a simple
goal (to the corner of downtown Concord
and back), it wasn’t complicated (I like walking…), I had someone to encourage
me and keep me accountable (Renee put up with a lot of my excuses and whining),
and I had a measurable goal (keep walking and don’t stop). A few years later after I had built up some
self confidence and success, I have been able to not only maintain my improving
health but build on it! It’s awesome
stuff! Now check out these two pictures for contrast below;
On top is our engagement picture in
2006, and on the bottom is us at
So
what resolution are you working on? I
hope it is going well! If you have
already dropped it or need encouragement, here is mine as promised; To become more holy. I hope that doesn’t sound pompous or prideful.
I really mean it, I want to become
Christ-like, to become perfected in God’s grace. John Wesley preached that when you are a
Christian you are more than just “saved,” that God is changing and saving you
toward perfection in THIS LIFE. It’s a
great mindset, that we aren’t just waiting to have our ticket punched to get to
heaven while we wait in this fleshy coil; that our flesh and our hearts can be
molded to be Christ-like HERE and NOW! The
perfection of that sanctifying grace also spreads to others, so it’s a great
way to live as God calls us to live. This
is why holiness is my resolution, and still is.
Now
for the practical stuff; from this holy starting point I then look at my life
and ask where holiness in my life is lacking, or needing changing, or with God
working through me I can help others on this path. That is where I set forth my practical
resolution; always simple, tangible goals and clear goals. I also tell Renee what they are so she can
check with me, encourage me, or nudge me if I need it. This new mindset and lifestyle is both
liberating and exhilarating, as God’s grace always is.
I
pray that your 2014 may be filled with joy, laughter, and fulfillment. If you ever need someone to confide it, to
encourage you, or nudge you (even push), I’m here for you. Let us all move toward perfection, as Christ
is, as God has made us to be. Happy New Year
to you all, and God Bless!
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