We are at that time of the year when we begin to review the events of our lives, the choices we made or did not make and resolve to do better in the coming year. We are all hoping and praying for a better new year in the midst of a collective challenging year. Resolutions are our desire to be better and to do better. Resolutions to have better relationships, to be more giving, honest and dependable to our family, friends and give back more to our respective communities are good and noble. Our resolutions without real change from the inside will always fall short because the enabling power for real change comes from a new life and an ever deepening relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the reason why a person known to be dishonest and a liar is transformed to be a person of integrity and truthfulness. While an easily angered person becomes mild and patient with others and the most unloving person becomes the most loving person anyone can meet. An irresponsible parent becomes responsible and attentive. A spouse stops taking his or her significant other for granted.
Human resolutions not backed by the grace of God will not stand the test of time. It becomes an exercise in futility and ends up in frustrations! The journey of life requires a never ending grace which is given through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
“Therefore, if any man be Christ, he is a new creation: Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
The offer from God for a fresh state is just what we need. The new beautiful beginning you so desire is yours for the taking! As we soberly reflect on the quality of our lives and the choices we make, we have the opportunity to resolve to make our lives better and receive the help that God has offered to all in every generation of mankind in His amazing love for us. Acknowledging our shortcomings is a good start. Realizing that we have no power to save ourselves from sinful ways is the next step to go beyond mere resolutions. The grace of God is offered to all because God does not treat us differently based on our race, gender, social status or the facade we put on for the world to see and applaud. He knows us for who we really are! He is the infinite being, we are the finite beings. He is the creator; we are his creation. He is the perfect one, we are the imperfect ones with flaws and He wants to restore us to the original purpose of His creation through Jesus Christ so the quality of our lives and relationships will be from a divine outflow of our meaningful relationship with Him.
Yes, we can all be reborn by God’s spirit beyond mere resolutions that most times fall flat before the end of the week of a New Year! Yes, real lasting change is possible when we open our hearts to the workings of God’s grace deep in our hearts by first asking Jesus to be our Savior and Lord. The enabling power to change from the inside out from God through Jesus Christ is a miracle we can live each day for every year all through our journey of life.
