Terry’s Take… Some New Year Resolutions
I used to spend a lot of time making New Year resolutions. Sometimes there would be pages of lists! Then after a few years I sort of “gave up”! So few of my intentions would ever be realized.
Maybe you’ve had the same experience. So let me share with you 10 resolutions for all of us. These 10 New Year’s Resolutions are very simple…but not necessarily easy. Perhaps you will find ones on this list that you disagree with. That’s OK! Just give it a fair read and an honest thought and study of scripture, OK?
1. BE A PEACEMAKER
Matthew 5:9 It is so easy to get worked up about things; world politics, community politics, people who wrong us, family drama, church drama, etc. But resolve to be the one who brings peace. Don’t spread the rumours, don’t listen to the stories, don’t join the clique. Be the one who initiates peace and unity.
2. GO TO CHURCH REGULARLY
Hebrews 10:24-25 speaks of gathering together to “spur each other on to good works”. This can be anywhere, of course, but where do we normally, freely, urge each other to be more Christlike, more loving, and do more good works? Generally these conversations take place at church.
3. READ THE BIBLE DAILY
Psalm 119:11, Psalm 1:2 Hiding God’s Word in our heart and meditating on it all day is Biblical practice, yet we read so little! Besides that, when we do a quick read…like a verse or two to calm our conscience…we miss out on a deeper relationship with Jesus! He is our Redeemer, our Saviour, and our Lord. Yet we rarely take the time to really know Him. Make it a practice this year to read and meditate on God’s Word every day. Spend 30 minutes. It will change your life.
4. FIND WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS
If you are a parent or a spouse, you have the opportunity daily to serve your family. If you are a young person who still lives with others – roommates, family, friends – then you too have built-in opportunities to serve others daily. There are few people who live such isolated lives that they can’t find someone to serve. If you do live alone and work alone, then find somewhere to volunteer – church, work, interest groups, hospital, soup kitchen, etc. Go beyond what is expected, really look for ways to serve. Find something extra to do for others this year. Whether that’s a project, a weekly service opportunity, or a daily dedication to serving your family with cheerfulness. Do all things as unto the Lord. And remember we do these things not to win any “brownie points” or favour with God…we do them out of joy and love…in response to Him who loved us first.
5. BE AN ENCOURAGER
As Christians, we face backlash and hatred on every hand. Nearly every workplace can become a minefield for a devout believer. They don’t understand or support our way of life. Because of this, I beg you to make it your ambition to be an encourager! Encourage everyone, but especially the other believers!
“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” 1 Peter 4:3-5
6. START A GRATEFULNESS JOURNAL
I have had my share of trials in life, but one thing that always, always works to lift my spirits is to start naming things for which I am thankful. Not just speaking them into space – but actually thanking God. “Thank You for this roof over my head” is a frequent gratefulness of mine. “Thank you for family and friends who love me” is one way I remind myself that I am not alone. That people do care about me. Especially during times of depression and sadness. If I start thinking about all my friends, I am so grateful for the friends who have stuck with me through uncomfortable times, when it would have been easier for them to leave.
7. POST ONLY POSITIVE THINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social Media can be a trap! It also took me far too many years to realize that I was being foolish by arguing online. A few years ago I resolved to only share positive things. To share funny or encouraging things. Things to make people laugh or feel good. Because life is hard enough without me sharing every depressing statistic or every horrific world update. They will get that quickly enough. I want to be a gentle, happy presence.
8. PRAY EVERY DAY
I will be the first to admit that I don’t pray as much as I want to or should. I want to, but it is a difficult practice for me, as I believe it can be for many Christians. I talk to God throughout the day whenever I think about it, but setting aside regular prayer time is hard. I think this must be because prayer is SO important, that Satan tries every which way to distract us. It seems that the most important things in life are hard to nail down. Maybe that’s just me…I want to pray more.
9. BE HOSPITABLE
There are so many lonely people in our isolated world. In an age of social media and instant shipping and everything-delivered, we crave community more than ever. Yet, we are all waiting on someone else to initiate it. Worse, when they do, we reject it because it feels uncomfortable. We are so averse to getting out of our comfort bubble, that we make up excuses to say no to friends who invite us. We want deep friendships, we long for true connection, for people we can depend on who will be with us through thick and thin, yet we refuse to do the work. Be the one. Determine that this year YOU will be the person who invites. If you can’t invite, then suggest and at the very least, attend. Someone invites you? Say yes. Don’t back out. Show up. Be uncomfortable. Negative feelings are actually not a bad thing. Work through them – they will make you more resilient and capable. Keep it simple. Have a soup night, or tacos, or backyard hotdogs. Meet at a park. Go out for coffee. Just show up. Get out the door.
10. BE HUMBLE
1 Peter 5:5 Humility is such a tricky thing, isn’t it? The thing I like to remind myself of, is that other people’s opinion is worthless to me. Only what God thinks of me, matters! Whether others think we are good, or whether they think we are bad – throw it into the trash! I only consider whether God is pleased with me.
I hope this list of New Year’s resolutions has prodded your mind to think of what is truly important, what needs to come first in our lives. It surely has given me a lot to think about, as I looked up verses and reflected on these things. May God bless your new year, and may your life reflect His, in every way.