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January 2004
Resolutions
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January 2004
Resolutions
The coming of a new year presents many different reactions. Perhaps the first reaction is to simply inquire, "Where did 2003 go?" The year passed by so quickly there was scarcely enough time to settle in and relax the pace. It does seem odd that each year contains the same number of days, but yet some years speed by more quickly than others. This was a very busy year but there have been other busy years. I think the quickening passage of the years is mostly related to my getting older. How ironic that as I am slowing down the years pass more quickly! Oh, well, aging aside, the year did go by very quickly. In fact, time got away before I completed some of the things I wanted to do.
Which brings me to the point of this article: If I didn't get done last year some of the things I had hoped to get done, then why do I imagine they and a host of other new things will get done this year? Carrying over into the new year things left undone from the previous year is probably not a good thing to do. So, I wonder, is it possible to wipe the slate clean and begin again? With some things that may just be the best way to handle unfinished business--like Resolutions for 2003: eat more healthily, exercise consistently, do more reading for pleasure, spend more time with family and friends, etc. I can just wipe those things off the slate and begin anew since they are things I want to do. There simply is no need or benefit to carrying unproductive guilt or a sense of failure into the new year.
The healthiest way to handle most of these things is to make reasonable and measurable resolutions, share them with a family member or friend and then meet regularly to give an accounting of how you are doing. Making resolutions is most often a good thing and can help get us out of the rut daily living can draw us into. Good resolutions can help break bad habits and encourage the development of good habits. However, let's be reminded that life is not usually lived in a straight line. Most often there are ups and downs, successes and failures. The secret is to not let the failures stop what can be for us future successes.
I thing the Apostle Paul has something good to tell us about life and resolutions: "I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course...I really do not think I have won it; the one thing I do, however, is forget what is behind me and do my best to reach ahead." (Philippians 3:12-13). In any realm of life those are words to help us live.
Happy New Year and I hope to see you faithfully in worship this year.
David