Many resolutions, nothing new.
As I read the flannel of new year media items and posts, I'm reminded of the first house we lived in. It was definitely in the category of "doer upper". The previous occupant had seen many cracks appearing and had bailed the ship before it was fatal. With each new crack a new layer of wall paper was imposed. If ever there was a living illustration of optimism it was our house bought by the romantic newly weds. Papering over the cracks had worked well cosmetically, but only for a season. When we moved in... a radically different approach was needed. The day came to take back the layers and discover the true extent of optimism and reality, but the wood chip (not one or two but three layers) was the only thing holding the whole structure together. I remember standing at the top of the ladder when the entire ceiling fell in. I was grateful for the army of church friends that had me "get it right in a jiffy", but we had to start from zero.
A drastic revolution is needed when we ignore the true state and don't get things right at source. At the beginning of a new year we are tempted to "add on"; to focus on "one more discipline" for a more healthy diet, to push for "one more circuit" in the gym, to persevere for one more km on the run, to add more extra personal effort in a strain for personal development. However at the core of all our lives is our core identity, the understanding of who we truly are and what we are made for. Where we find our identity dictates so many things including he success of every development and the longevity of it's progress, In reality we have fading bodies, in a fallen world, which is looking sociopolitically more unstable than last year.
Our true identity however is not in our biological condition or circumstantial environment. At the core of our being is the stamp and purposes of our loving, life giving, transforming creator. He alone can make something good where there was nothing, He alone can transform unrecognisably and fruitfully that which was corrupt and defunct. Those of us who have found him to be our Friend, Redeemer and Saviour have also discovered that His Lordship is our joy, and joyful compliance with his loving, all knowing control of our beings, is the lasting progress we need, As creatures made in His image we are made to see ourselves in Christ, His character, His purposes, His family, His mission, His Joy. No earthly, humanistic prospects offered to us for resolution, bring any change of lasting consequence or substantial joy which compares in any way to what Christ offers us in Himself.
The revolutionary change we need is in who He is.
For the follower of Jesus, it is revolution not resolution, and the only revolution worth having is to become more like him each day of our lives. Such a daily prayer may show up so many failings, but comes with the help of the one who gives his presence to make it a reality not just now but for eternity. The implications of such change do not only impact our own lives but have a cosmological dimension to display his glory for all ages, and all peoples.
The mission of God has its roots in His unchangeable nature. His faithfulness (hesed comittment) to all he has made and loves is the same yesterday, today and forever. His decisions and promises are Yes and Amen , they come to be, will never not come to be, because the one who made them will never change.
MICAH 7:18
"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love."
We have a God who does not give up on us, a God who changes us at source and core. His help, rennovation, replacement, and solution will never fail. Christ will never fail. He is our unchanging hope for another hour, day, year, earthy lifetime, and into eternity. Know Him, walk in Him, let his light shine on your darkness, illuminate your path, your soul, your dreams, your anticipations of the reality to come, be shaped by the reality of who He is and His risen victory. May He bring His glory of His being into your identity and being each day. Others will see it, but that is not our motivation. Others will benefit from it, but that is not our motivation. Others will find eternal life , hope, satisfaction, as we point them to him, but our pinnacle Joy is Christ Himself. He is our true identity, our lasting peace, our ultimate rest, our never fading glory. He is our motivation. His love makes this our reality. Because He lives, tomorrow will continue to be a new day of bright hope we can face with joy, until He himself calls us into His presence and the day which will never end.
Whatever 2026 holds for our health, global stability, finances, relationships, griefs, perplexities, Christ will remain the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;[a]
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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