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This time of year, our theology can get muddied in the whirlwind of goal-setting and dreaming of how things could be if only we were better…. The tricky thing about New Year’s resolutions is the remembering that we don’t have to change to please God.
What if we shifted our focus from being a better person, living up to unrealistic expectations, and earning God’s love to REMEMBERING how much we are loved just as we are?
What if we remembered how passionately God pursued us before we had any idea how merciful and kind he is?
What if we determined that this year we would focus on his goodness and faithfulness and accept his gifts more readily?
If we let them, resolutions can steal our joy. They greedily make us feel like no matter what we do it’s not good enough! They see any positive progress as too little and too late. We may even forget who we are in Christ…and what we have through Christ.
Instead, let’s focus on the many times his grace brought us through. The positive changes we have experienced. And the amazing blessings we do have, even in the midst of our imperfections.
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I think this is good advice. I catch myself thinking I have to do good works in order to please God.The truth is,my good works are a fruit of His love, not the seed that makes His love sprout.
Exactly Kathy! Thanks for sharing…
Thank you! And Thank God!!
I stood at the foot of the cross in the sanctuary this morning in tears as I recounted the depth and breadth of my inadequacy. Fed, at least in part, by my inability to even know where to begin with Resolutions for improvement.
Yours was a message I needed to hear (again, for the first time). How is it something that seems so simple can remain so elusive?
I pray I may not only more fully remember Such Wondrous Love as This, but that – like you today – I might be an instrument God might use to remind others tomorrow and throughout the year.
(not that I’m Resolved to do so in order to be Loved, mind you)
Pastor Steve,
Thank you for putting into words what many leaders may be feeling right now. Keeping our eyes on the finished work of the Cross reminds us that our part is to simply receive.
Sue
Amen. Thanks for putting it in print – a great (and personally much-needed) reminder!
This is what my church encourages everyone to do – My One Word. It sounds a lot like what your post is about. Check it out at myoneword.org !
Thanks for sharing Megan…what a great resource!