I have a bone to pick with New Year Resolutions. And because of this, I have never made them. It’s not that I disagree with making changes in your life – not at all - but I wonder if we take adequate time to think through the changes we need to be made before rashly committing ourselves to promises we can’t keep.
Instead, I choose to have a word of the year. This word will come after spending time in prayer and asking God where I need to grow. Through His Word and other affirmations, I usually pick up on a theme. Last year, the
word was ‘Courage’.
Courage to begin a new work.
Courage to quit an old job.
Courage to stay faithful when I wanted to quit.
Courage to have difficult conversations.
Courage to love when I wanted to withdraw.
Courage to go to counselling.
Courage to show up every day and live.
As I pondered what it might be that God would like to teach me this year, I waited for my word. But it didn’t come. I decided not to worry about it too much – better if it’s not forced.
One thing, I noticed last winter was how sluggish I was. I know it’s important to stay active, but I absolutely despise exercising! It’s not a problem in the summer when I’m busy outside, but I struggle to find a way
to move in the winter.
Aerobics. Nasty stuff.
Walking. Boring.
Dancing. Mennonite hips.
Skating. Painful feet.
Running. Proverbs 28:1.
Biking. Suffering derriere.
Sports. Stressful.
So what’s a girl to do? I could feel my body itching to move but couldn’t find what would make it come alive.
A thought occurred to me one day when I was surveying our back field. It lies empty all winter long, unused and untouched. “This would be a perfect place for cross-country skiing – for someone who skied”. I just didn’t think it could be me.
But the idea lingered. I have always enjoyed downhill skiing, but it’s expensive and having to drive to find a hill is time-consuming.
Then I received some Christmas money and the idea grew. Jim encouraged me to ‘check it out,’ so I went to town to scope out the price for a cross country ski set. Turns out, they are not cheap! But once the man handed me a pair of boots and I slipped them on, I knew I was in trouble. Such softness! Clearly, the boots were calling my name.
I sat there for a moment gathering the courage to spend the money, but I knew if I passed up this opportunity, I would regret it for the rest of my life. Tentatively, I handed over my cash, and then, I got excited.
That night, it started to snow – big, soft flakes – perfect for skiing! I wondered if maybe God had sent it for me – I like to think maybe He did.
It’s been a week now, and I am wondering why I never thought to try cross country skiing before! I have spent hours out on my field enjoying the fresh air. My body is exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. I quit only
because I’m tired - not because I want to.
I haven’t been this excited about exercise…like…..ever! This is a new feeling for me. And as I pondered it, I realized my word for this year is: NEW.
It’s not a fancy word, but the more I think about it, the more I believe it applies to what God wants me to learn this year: to be ready to embrace NEW challenges and NEW ways of doing life.
Once I started looking in Scripture, I was shocked to find so many verses calling us to embrace newness.
We are called to:
-sing a NEW song - don’t always assume it has to be a OLD hymn (Psalms 33:3)
-we are given a NEW name (Isaiah 62:2)
-we are granted a NEW life (Romans 6:4)
-we have been given a NEW spirit (Ezekiel 11:19)
-we will speak in NEW tongues (Mark 16:17)
-we are under a NEW covenant (1 Cor 11:25)
-to become a NEW creation (2 Cor 5:17)
-being transformed by the RENEWING of our minds (Romans 12:2)
-anticipating a NEW heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17)
-by a God who makes “all things new” (Rev 21:5)
The more I read, the more I wonder why we cling to the past so tightly when God calls us to “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a NEW thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive?”
(Isaiah 43:19 emphasis mine)
We like quoting Ecclesiastes 1:9 “There is nothing new under the sun.” and forget it was written by a cynical king who had strayed from God. For it is God who calls us to new life in His name, and when we surrender
our lives to Christ, He promises to ‘give [us] an undivided heart and put a new spirit in [us].” Ezekiel 11:19 God loves NEW things!
This year, I need to let go of the OLD. It doesn’t mean I devalue the past but looking back is only for the benefit of seeing God’s mercy and steadfast love towards me ‘for they have been from old.’ (Psalms 25:6) Reviewing God’s faithfulness towards me is good and necessary but reviewing the past to revisit old wounds and dwell on old dreams is harmful.
Clinging to the past may bring a sense of comfort, but it is a false comfort that blocks God’s desire to be our present Comfort in the face of the unknown future. In short, it robs God of the opportunity to fulfill His
role in our lives.
God is calling us to a new day! This may bring changes we don’t want, but surrendered in the hands of a Sovereign God, it will bring new life! And while all may change around us, He promises to remain the same.
THIS is in Whom our comfort is found!
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