As this holiday season rapidly draws to a close, many of us will spend the waning days of the year looking back over the days that have passed and wonder if there is anything that can be done to improve our lives. We remember those who have passed away, we remember th challenges of the economy, the war in Iraq, promises made, promises broken, times of laughter and times of tears. The question is, “Did we accomplish what we set out to accomplish?” Many of us will “make a list” of resolutions for the New Year. Losing weight, getting more exercise and saving more money seems to be at the top of everyone’s list. For some, spending more time in God’s Word is a top priority. From personal experience, I know that some of the promises and resolutions we make to ourselves and others more often than not fall by the wayside. There is one though, who resolved to love us and care for us no matter what our failures, shortcomings and circumstances may be. He is God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). As you contemplate the New Year, bring your hopes, plans, dreams, successes and failures to the foot of the Cross. God will surely meet you there! He is the consummate promise keeper. His resolutions concerning us never change. He loves us. And the greatest expression of his love for us is found in his one and only son, Jesus Christ. In the year 2004, will you resolve to be more like Christ today than you were yesterday? I pray that you will. Resolving to lose weight, exercise more and save more do present us with temporal rewards. I leave you with these words from the Apostle Paul: For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8). Resolve to become spiritually fit in 2004. God’s richest blessings and peace to you and yours in the New Year. The weekly spirituality column is a service brought to you by the pastors of local churches. If you would like your church or parish to be included in this column, call the Tri-County News at (320) 398-5000.
