What Are We Doing?

Reverend Eileen Hix

Congratulation we have all made it to 2016; for better or for worse we have been given a new day, a new year, and above all; a new opportunity…but for WHAT?!?! Each year a large percentage of people make a New Year’s resolution promising themselves or others to change in some way for the better. According to a survey by Money Magazine the most popular New Year’s Resolutions for 2016 are:

• “Enjoy life to the fullest”

• “Live a healthier lifestyle”

• “Lose weight”

• “Save more, spend less”

• “Spend more time with family and friends”

• “Pay down debt.”

What do these resolutions say about who we are? They focus mostly on ourselves. The only one that even slightly has to do with anyone else, is spending more time with family and friends. Not even one of them have anything to do with being a Christ follower. What does the bible say about New Year’s resolutions, honestly no where will you find those words in there But it does say a lot about how we are to live our lives. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” (Matthew 22:36).

You know his response: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great command. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (vs. 37-39). So what are we to do? Jesus’ first command is that we put God first in our life, our thoughts and our actions all the time (without exclusion). Then Jesus calls us to extend to others forgiveness, understanding, and compassion and to serve them whenever and wherever we can.

John Wesley is quoted as saying “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” Imagine a community where everyone puts God and others first. How many changes would we see in our families, our children, our relationships and what would be the impact on terrorism, adultery, pornography, theft, slander? If you and I lived consistently by God’s New Year’s Resolutions, what would be the impact on our relationship with our Father and our neighbors this year?

I found a great quote by Jonathan Edwards “began every day with two commitments: “Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I will.” My challenge to myself and to each of you is, Will We choose to live for God in all that we do and if no one else does will we continue to be an example of His love in the world? Dear Lord, help each of us follow you close that we might be true disciples. That our actions and words would reflect a true image of you that we would serve because of our great devotion to you. We thank you and praise you for the unmerited grace and forgiveness you have given to us. That the sacrifice of Christ on the cross that saves. We pray all this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen. May God bless your family and you in this opportunity of a New Year.