As we anticipate the New Year, it is not inappropriate to update our resolutions. I know, I know…resolutions can be a crazy process. I can’t tell you how many times I have sworn them off. Usually it is because of the little voice in the back of my head that reminds me how I did on the last ones.
Funny, I rarely hear the voice remind me of times that my “resolution” yielded incremental progress. I mean, maybe I didn’t lose the whole twenty pounds…but should I discount the five?
The fact is, having a target is helpful. Proverbs 29:18 reminds us that without a vision, we will live without restraint. We cannot really argue with that! That’s how I gained the twenty pounds to begin with!
So, I have adopted a few goals. I will likely keep some of those to myself. Some are motivated by an internal desire. Maybe you have that too. Perhaps you want to go back to school, finish that project, or attempt that 10k race you’ve been side-eyeing for the last few years. Maybe this is the year to make a run at it.
Other goals (and I would argue, more eternally significant ones) may be driven by an impression in your time with the Lord. I have those, too, and will share some of them over the next few days.
Still, others are driven by things that break my heart as I look at the current times. Of course, I mean the culture, but more than that. I am speaking of what I see in the windshield and in the mirror. What if this is the last year someone has to experience the gospel? What if you or I are the last ones who will have an opportunity to gain a hearing for Jesus in the heart of a neighbor? What if this is our last year, or month, or even days before WE meet Jesus? How do we want to live the next few days in light of that possibility?
If you’re still with me…thanks for following along. Here is my first Resolve:
Resolve #1-
I will present a more beautiful picture of Christ and the Gospel.
There are a lot of voices declaring what they are against. They can tell you why something is wrong, why it offends God, or violates His Law (by letter or in principle). They can preach with a strong prophetic voice against any number of legitimate sins. I wonder, though…is it making a difference? After all, the person choosing that particular action is making a choice that they seem to think will work out better for them.
Instead of our (ok…MY) default prophetic warning, let’s choose to explain why trusting God with obedience is better and more beautiful. That’s what I want to do. That’s what I choose (by God’s grace and in His power). I will choose to present the hope of Christ in such lofty and expansive ways that someone would have to be crazy to decide against it!
Let me offer one example in closing:
There is no doubt that abortion is wrong. It is clearly against God’s Word. No genuine objection can be made to that reality. But simply preaching that it is wrong isn’t stemming the tide. In fact, some preliminary findings are indicating that abortions have increased in the US since they became more restricted last year!
I am going to choose to point out that God wants us to choose LIFE because He wants us to experience the joy of holding a child, the peace in knowing that God has got us and our little ones, and the grace of His provision. He doesn’t want us to miss out on Kindergarten plays and Middle School dances, and College graduations. He wants us to experience the pride of knowing that our children change the world…something we would miss out on if we rebelliously short-circuited the process. God has a plan and purpose already laid out for our babies that bear His image. He is entrusting us with world-changing children. He is allowing us the privilege of preparing them for greatness and the joy of knowing His provision in their lives.
Do you see what I mean? Now, insert any issue that tickles your fancy. God’s way is better, more glorious, and yields greater joy than any detour we could come up with.
If this resolution interests you…then you can adopt it, too. And if you check back in tomorrow, I will share the next resolve in a far briefer manner!
Grace and Peace,
Chris
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