Can you believe how fast 2017 came and went? Now we’re off and running in 2018!
There is something special and exciting about the start of a new year, something that gives us feelings of fresh starts and new beginnings. If you’re like the rest of us, New Year’s Day invites the challenge of change, which we label New Year’s resolutions. If that’s the case for you, what did you promise yourself for this year? What changes, additions, completions or deletions have you promised to make in the upcoming months? What would make a good New Year’s resolution?
Did you know that the practice of making New Year’s resolutions dates back to as early as ancient Babylonia? That’s right – more than 3,000 years ago! For centuries, thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people just like you and me have depended upon New Year’s Day for their resolutions. To be brutally honest, there is no difference between December 31st and January 1st. Nothing mystical or magical occurs at the stroke of midnight on December 31st. The heavens don’t open and pour out resolution power on January 1st.
In fact, the Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year’s resolutions, but if a Christian decides to accept the challenge and makes a New Year’s resolution, what would make a good resolution for that Christian?
In the last few weeks, we’ve been looking at some ideas that disciples and followers of Jesus ought to consider when making New Year’s resolutions. First, we considered that if we would just be more joyful in our outlook, in our behavior, in our demeanor, and in our practice, then that joy would appropriately spread to other people and open the doors for a more blissful, cheerful, and pleasing approach to life itself.
For we know that the Bible says that for those who seek the Lord, they shall rejoice and be glad. (Psalm 40:16) In fact, the heavens and the earth shall rejoice for those who seek the Lord. (Psalm 96:11)
Seeking to be joyful in the Lord should be a desire of all Christians and Disciples of Christ, for we should walk knowing that we are loved by God and that the Lord has always loved us. So, each day, each morning, as God has given us a new day, a new blessing, to serve, to share, we should be glad and joyful because God does love us. (Psalm 90:14)
For as we rejoice in the Lord, we will continually experience joy in the God of our salvation. (Habakkuk 3:18) So, we should rejoice and be glad in the Lord, for our reward is great in heaven. (Matthew 5:12) Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
Pastor Mark