IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN!
On the old television game show, Family Feud, one question asked was, "What are the most popular New Year's resolutions that people make at the start of a new year?"
One of the top resolutions was to make more money. Another was to save more money. A third was to take more time off work in order to spend more time with family and friends. Another was to live a more slower pace in life and to enjoy life more. And the top answer, the number one answer was, you may have already guessed it: "To lose weight and take better care of oneself!" That would certainly help me!
Those are pretty big goals and resolutions to make and, if followed, they can make our lives and relationships better and healthier. The notice that, while good and important as they are, none of them have to do with the inner life or the spiritual life.
As I said, none of those are bad or wrong. But I do wonder if any of us take the time at the start of a new year to consider our spiritual lives? How many of us take time and give honest reflection and commitment to making and living out some resolutions to do things in life that are better for God?
Think back over the past year: How did your life shine for Christ in this past year? Did people in any way see Jesus shining out of your life? Did you, out of your life – your actions, your words, your commitment – point anyone toward Christ? Did you help a person grow closer or deeper in their own faith commitment this past year? As the old question puts it: "If you were arrested and put on trial for being a Christian (in this past year), would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
Now, I believe deeply in God's grace and mercy, and we do not live out a life that honors God in order to earn God's love and grace. That is a gift, and a gift that you and I could never repay, even on our best days. But God's grace is no crutch to let us off the hook of considering how we live our lives, how our lives honor Christ, and how our lives express our love for God.
So, let me ask you: How will 2012 be a growing and deepening year for you in your faith? Perhaps it is time for you to start reading the Bible and attending Sunday school or a Bible study? To spend time in prayer. To be more faithful and deliberate in your worship attendance. To find those ways you can get involved in the life of Unity Chapel that not only serve to deepen your faith, but felt the church to be a light of Christ in this community. To help with Sunday school for the children. To sing in the choir. To get involved in the mission of service such as the upcoming Soup Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, or any number of ways that we can serve Christ out in the community.
Jesus says the most important commitments in our lives are to love God with all of our life and to love one another as we love ourselves. How would that change your life if you were to seek to live that out in your everyday life in 2012? Think of how different 2012 would be for you if you took that commitment seriously? Think of how 2012 might be different for someone else if you took that commitment heart and talk to live out those words of Jesus in this new year!
Resolutions are important. They help us to take stock of life and of what truly matters in our lives. That is true in our relationships with family and friends, our work ethic, the way we handle our money (or the way our money handles us!), and the quality of our lives physically.
It is also true when it comes to our faith. We don't grow just sitting there and watching life pass us by. We have to make choices and be willing to put in the time and work. The good news is that as we open our hearts more and more to Christ, we find the He is there working within us to lead us into life in more abundant and healthy ways than we could ever imagine on our own. And what a difference it makes in our own lives, our families, our work, our school, our church, our community, and in the lives of others!
So, what faith resolutions will YOU make in 2012?
Happy New Year and Peace be with you in Jesus Christ.
Jeff