New Year's Resolutions, Dec 31st, 2015

Don’t you think this year went so fast? I feel this way. In my way of perceiving things, I feel during the changing from summer to Fall, time sped up. During these days I asked Luke, my husband, about his new year’s resolutions, he gave me just one: “Not worrying about what other people think about me.” I told him, tell me more: “Not doing things to impress people.” In his answer I heard the words from Paul to his followers: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal1:10.

From my side, I take my time, I am a person of process… in other words, I have to process things… I have to put some thought to the process of my new year’s resolutions. I thought about goals and how I work on my short, mid and long-term goals… 2014 has been a big year with a lot of changes and accomplishments… uncertainty vs. trusting in God… sacrifices vs. unknown blessings on their way.

How will this year be any different than last year? How many of you would like 2015 to be better than 2014?

Maybe, last year was a tough year for many of us. It was a year of challenges, a year of choices. It was a year of changes. It was a year of some crises. The fact is for some of you the year 2014 was more of a disappointment than a joy. Some of you may have experienced a loss of some kind. For some of you it may have been a year of set backs and failures. 

The bad news is there is nothing we can do to change last year. The good news is we can learn from last year and today we have the opportunity to start over and make some changes. God brings life to us in small pieces, that we know as hours, days and months. At the beginning of every year He says, let’s wipe the slate clean and let’s start with a brand new year. Its like God is saying, “ Let’s start over. ” And that’s good news."An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many directions." (Prov 17:24)

For many the last part of that verse describes them. It says, “ A fool starts off in many directions. ” Does that describe any of you? You start your year off in haste of going in to many different directions at one time with no plan of action.

Then notice the words at the beginning of this verse: it says, " An Intelligent person aims at wise actions". That means they have a goal, an objective, an aim, a target. Have you set any goals for 2015? Or are you just going to walk into this year and hope it’s better? I hope this is not the case for many of you.

Think of the abundant grace God has provided you, despite the circumstances you had to endure. 

I want to share with you simple steps to think about 2014. Sit down for four minutes, the first two minutes write as much as you can, at least 20 things you can celebrate about 2014. The two minutes left, use them to write the possibility of celebration 2015 offers.

Let me, give you 5 things I celebrate of 2014: My biggest fan, best friend and best companion, my husband. Christ Church ministry and the abundant grace this opportunity offers. My new family, my husband’s family. Got reconnected with three dear friends I haven’t seen in many years. My cousin is drug free and strengthening his paths to be a father and committed Christian.

For 2015: I want to praise God with more love, passion and action. Be a more committed Christian. I want to use my leisure time more effectively. I want to be reconnected with my continuing education, the theory of family systems. I want to go to Colombia and see my parents, among other goals…Most importantly, remain focused that with God’s help we can overcome the past and face the future. We can handle a new life and serious intentions of change for this coming year. We believe and know we can change. Not on our own power, but with the power that Christ gives us.

Be strong because you will hear from New Year’s parties where people get so drunk they cannot see straight. They get drunk to forget the past year; and because of that…they are afraid to face the New Year. Don’t be foolish.

Be wise and honor those resolutions that will sustain your journey to be closer to God. Follow your real leader, and that one is Jesus.

Let me share a story I found: A Middle Eastern mystic said, “ I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was: ‘ Lord, give me the energy to change the world.’ As I approached middle age and realized that my life was half gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to: ‘ Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come into contact with me, just my family and friends, and I shall be satisfied.’ Now that I am an old man and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how foolish I have been. My one prayer now is: ‘ Lord, give me the grace to change myself.’ If I had prayed for this right from the start, I would not have wasted my life.’

In conclusion, What kind of person will you be this year? Will you be an accuser, an excuser, or a chooser? Will you choose to make the most of 2015? Will you accept responsibility for your life? Will you believe you can change? Will you clarify what you want this year and what is important to you? Will you start right now? Will your relationship with God be on the top of your priority list? Will your family and church be at the top of that list? The choice is yours. What will it be?