New Year. Fresh Starts. New Resolutions.
We like those words. They resonate with us.
It's this idea of being made new. Refresh. Refine. Regenerate.
It's this idea of cultivation. Of being made better. Doing better.
I'm not sure about you, but that speaks to my soul. It waters it, and allows it to flourish. I believe that, inside of all of us, we have this innate desire to keep moving forward ("forgetting what is behind, straining toward what is ahead...") and to keep reaching new heights. And you know what? The God of the universe made us that way. He designed us to want to be made new, to desire fresh clean slates, and to learn new ways to grow into who we're meant to be (1 Peter 1:3; 2 Cor. 5:17; Ezk. 36: 25-27). It's part of who we are.
Because of what Christ did for us on the cross, the very same God of the universe comes to dwell within us to equip us and give us the power to enact these changes in powerful ways ("No longer I, but Christ who lives in me"). The very same Spirit which enabled Christ to do his miraculous work lives inside us, equipping and refining us.Whoa.
So, this idea of making changes, being better, starting afresh? Well folks, I think that's a total God thing. "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:16).
Jesus is in the refinement business. If Christ is your Lord, He makes you over and gives you new "resolutions" every day of your life. He desires to take the ashes of your life and give you a crown of beauty instead (Isa. 61:3).
Perhaps you already have a whole list of resolutions you've decided for 2013. Maybe the thought hasn't even crossed your mind yet. Maybe you think there's nothing to improve upon; maybe you're overwhelmed with how much you feel you need to change.
Wherever you're at, dear friends, this I know: the Lord loves us too much to let us stay stagnate. Embrace that innate desire to change and be better and allow the Lord to do His good work in you, this year and beyond. Allow the process of sanctification to continue. Or maybe even start.
I would encourage you to commit your resolutions to the Lord this year. Let Him define where to begin anew. Let Him point out areas that He'd like you to improve. And prepare to experience deeper intimacy with Him in the process.
He's so good, friends. And this year - 2013 - well, I know it will be a good year, too, for the Lord goes before and behind, and because we have the blessing of walking through it with Him, hand in hand.
As Oswald Chambers so sagely and thoughtfully said
Leave the Irreparable Past in His hands and step into the Irresistible Future with Him
What are some of your New Year's resolutions for 2013?
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