Often we approach a new year with what we call "resolutions" to live by for the next twelve months. These are meant to make us better people, easier to get along with, build our character, maybe even shape and strengthen our spiritual soul. This is not a blog intending to explore how we are all doing on ours, now that February has already come upon us. We joke all to often of those resolutions we brake before January is even up, let alone the ones we forget about halfway through the year. We joke, but it's all to true. I think that may be why I, for one, have rarely if ever braved the waters of making such commitments. I'm afraid that I'm going to fail myself.
This year was no different. Sort of. The challenge went out to our church, I ducked, and moved on. But this time it was different. Like a bad case of Taco Bell for lunch, or a good bowl of superbowl chili, the challenge came back around again when we as a church were "dared" if you will, to turn in to the pastor an accountability sheet with our specific goals, along with two listed accountability partners. And for some reason, when i ducked, a new thought hit me: "Why not?"
Ouch. I responded with the usual retaliatory ammunition, and then some new stuff: "There are too many unknowns this year. I don't have a job. I'm getting married. She doesn't have a job. We don't know where we're gonna be, or what we're gonna be doing. All of these things effect the goals one would make. Right?" I then realized that I was simply making excuses because I was afraid of falling short of a goal I set that might become obsolete with new circumstances. In reality though, this was masking the greater fear of putting forth the work to come up with good resolutions, and the prideful fear of failing to meet goals I have no excuse not to meet.
With that said, I realized that I could evaluate, re-evaluate, modify, and otherwise tailor my goals with changing circumstances. After all, the purpose of "resolutions" is not merely to be met, but for greater growth. Meeting these objectives falls secondary to my growth and maturity, the motivating factors and ultimate goal of any resolutions anyway.
So... following the outline given by the church, here are my 2009 Resolutions.
Worship - I will take action to promote my own private worship by focusing my attention Heavenward both first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Community - I will take action to develop @ least 2 or 3 deep relationships that mutually foster both persons' spiritual health.
Maturity - I will take action to finish more books that will challenge, strengthen, and deepen my spiritual health. (I'm working on an exact number on this one. i.e. two such books per month?)
Service - I will take action to put forward the Biblical priority to love the unlovely and sacrificially serve the needy around me. ALSO I will take action to be more concerned with others spiritual health than their perceptions about me (either their like/dislike of me, or their assessment of my own spirituality). This is long-talk for involving myself unselfishly in being mentor in relationships.
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