New Years Resolutions

I have never liked New Years resolutions. They have never made any sense to me. Why should I, on the dawning of the New Year, resolve (which means to settle conclusively, ie. no to be raised again) to do something that I probably should have been doing all along? Most people pick obvious things that only require a little self-discipline. For example, I should choose to lose weight for my new years resolution, so that I can buy a belt that doesn’t say Peterbilt. It’s a no brainer. I should do it. I can do it. I can do it in my own strength. How does that glorify God? If I choose on my own, and perform in my own strength, it only proves my stubbornness. If I fail in my own strength it only proves my ineptitude. There is nothing of God in it. Without God, the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will certainly fail.

Think of the apostles in four Gospels. Losers. All of them. All functioning in their own strength, and doing so while God was physically walking right next to them. Think of some of there actions. Wanting to stop and build three tents on the mountain and await another transfiguration. Begging, or more accurately having their Mother beg, for exalted seats in heaven. Worrying about having enough money or food for their needs. One moment speaking the truth, “You are the Christ” and the next falling into egregious actions and lies, cutting off ears with the sword and denying the Christ. Losers, all of them. You and I are losers too. Look at your own actions…

Thanks be to God for the book of Acts. This book records the moment when the apostles, you and I changed from losers to be more than conquerors. The men and women of that upper room did not resolve to do anything. God resolved to change the course of human history; to make men and women able spread his Good News. Fire fell from heaven; God’s Word went to the streets in each listener’s language. Some mockers came and Peter stood under the power of the Holy Spirit rebuking them with the Scriptures from the prophet Joel. The Holy Spirit had finally returned to earth, to dwell within God’s people. It was a new day. They were new creations.

So here we are, 2000 years from that day of Pentecost. The Fire still burns. I make no New Years resolutions for they’ re meaningless. However, the Holy Spirit within has resolved to change me for God’s purpose. I am eager to see what new things the Spirit will do in me. What gifts the Spirit will bring forth and how these gift will be used to the glory of God the Father. Friend, it’s not about a new year turning, it’s about a new day. Don’t get caught up changing yourself under your own strength. Seek the Father, seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God will use you to reach the lost. God will use you to change the world.