Daily Devotion - Monday, December 28, 2015

This week for our Daily Devotions, we'll be focusing on the coming of a new year, and what it means to be given a fresh start, a second chance and another opportunity to become the people that God has always dreamed for us to become.   

"Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress." - Charles Kettering

In just a few days we'll be ringing in a new year.  We'll "tear a leaf off" the calendar, figuratively if not literally.  I love the feeling that accompanies the beginning of a new year, actually.  There's a freshness to it.  I can imagine that the slate has been wiped clean, and all of the mistakes and missteps of the past year are behind me.  I have the chance to do things differently. 

I stopped making resolutions a few years ago--at least out loud where anyone could hear me make them.  The reason?  I'm sketchy when it comes to keeping my new year's resolutions.  Most of us are, if we are being honest.  We start off with a bang, and then taper off pretty quickly.  

My personal trainer told me that the gym where I work out is going to be full of people come January, but that by March it will be back to "normal."  Gyms and personal trainers celebrate Christmas in January and February when all of the rest of us decide to join the gym, purchase training packages, and get into shape. 

But then reality sets in, and we realize that it takes actual work, effort, time and perseverance to reach our fitness goals.  That's when our schedules start to tighten, and we end up bailing out on the whole thing.  Gyms actually bank on this.  Their business model factors in the lack of usage by many of their members.  

In fact, if all of the members of a gym showed up every day to work out and exercise, the gym would be too crowded and the equipment would get worn out too quickly. They are anticipating that we won't carry through on our resolutions, and they are almost always right. 

So does this mean that we shouldn't make resolutions at all?  Is there no point to deciding to become better people since it appears that we have almost zero chance of making that happen?  Absolutely not!  We can't let our own frailty get in the way of striving toward awesomeness.  

In Galatians 6:9, the Apostle Paul wrote this: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."  Listen, I get it if you feel like making resolutions is a waste of time.  But make some anyway. Don't grow weary in doing good, don't give up before you even get started.  The universe needs you at your best, and you won't ever be at your best if you settle for the same-old-same-old.  

Take this opportunity to reflect on what God might be leading you to do differently in the coming new year.  What might God be leading you to let go of? What might God be leading you to start?  

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always.  Amen.