There is so much uncertainty to a New Year. In some ways
it’s not unlike the flip of a coin or the drawing of straws; someone always
ends up on the short end of the stick. We all hope for the best, and most of us
resolve to do our best, but you just never know how it will all turn out. Maybe
there really is something to that old adage, “One day at a time.”
Then there is this little thing called a “New Year’s
Resolution.” Essentially it speaks to our desires to make a fresh start of
something, just as a New Year is also a fresh start of the calendar. While some
of us go about planning our New Year’s resolutions, others of us joke about it,
much like the person who said, “My New
Year’s resolution is to make no New Year’s resolutions.”
Personally I typically do not make New Year’s resolutions
either, but if I did they might include a resolve to further reduce my waist
size and poundage that goes with it. Perhaps another resolve would be to be a
little more careful with what kind of online discussions (arguments) I allow
myself to venture into. After all, is there really anything to be gained by me
also weighing into such current political hot-potato discussions as gun control
or gay marriage? Though sometimes I’m tempted, it’s probably best that I not do
so.
Maybe I might even make a resolution to spend more time on
some of the spiritual disciplines, as in Richard Foster’s excellent book, Celebration of Discipline. Now there’s a worthwhile resolution, at least in my opinion
it is. Having said that, I think I will resolve to at least re-read that book again
sometime soon. Certainly there is no end to resolution possibilities that we
could make if we were so inclined to. But then, as with Christmas, Easter,
Thanksgiving and other special days, I’ve also long since wrestled with
thoughts such as this:
“One man considers one day more special than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5).
For many years now, I have not really been one who has much
to do with any special days. While some people focus on celebrating many of the
big days on our calendar (and that’s OK; to each their own), I have long since
viewed one day pretty much the same as the next. If I celebrate a day, I only
really do so because it is important to another loved one. If it were only up
to me, I don’t think I would acknowledge special days at all. In my way of
thinking, each and every day are days that the Lord hath made, and I will
strive to rejoice and be glad in them all equally.
So where do we go from here?
I prefer to go to a “New Day’s Resolution.” I prefer to,
regardless what day of the year it is, resolve to start my day with this prayer
on my lips: “Lord, make me a blessing to
someone today.” Let’s think about that for a moment. Right since the dawn
of time, humanity has played with Cain’s question to God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). From that point on the
Bible has painted a picture of the brotherhood of mankind. Yes, historically we
have all sinned and fallen horribly short of God’s ideal (Romans 3:23), but
there yet remains hope. Thankfully too, in Christ Jesus we are already made
clean and acceptable, but I think it is also possible to take God’s grace for
granted and become spiritually lethargic, as evidenced by many of our
interactions with one another.
My “New Day’s Resolution” is that I do not want to simply
argue and debate theological doctrines and concepts all the time; I want to
focus more on blessing someone else, regardless if we agree doctrinally or not.
It’s easy to be opinionated and grace-less as we adamantly put forth our
theological views (I know, I’ve done it), but less easy to be our brother’s
keeper and full of grace.
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way … Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification … So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” (Romans 14: 13,19,22; NIV).
Just as “God is love” (1 John 4:16), so too I am convinced
that theology is important ONLY in as much as it is based on love and
relationships. As someone once said, “I
don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.” Are we our
brother’s keeper? Absolutely. That is far too important to focus on only once
per year, as part of some sort of special day on the calendar, rather it ought
to be a daily resolution. My daily prayer, “Lord,
make me a blessing to someone today,” speaks to the importance of being our
brother’s keeper. It really is a spiritual discipline, for it does not come naturally
for any of us and it is easy to fall away from in an unguarded moment.
My “New Day’s Resolution” for every day is based on those
verses from Romans 14. No, I don’t live it perfectly, not by a long shot. Some
days it seems like for every one step forward, I take three steps backwards.
Some days I feel like I’m only 2% successful, but I press on anyways
(Philippians 3: 12-14).
A new year is an exciting thing, full of promise and hope. A
new day can be just as exciting. Happy New Day. What are you going to do with
it? Squander it in some sort of self-seeking activity, or use it to bless
someone else? Think about this: You might just be God’s answer to someone
else’s prayer today. Peace.
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons
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