“The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here” (Romans 13:11-12, NIV).
I do not place much value in New Year’s resolutions. Place a visit to any local gym in early January, and you will see the gym buzzing with people who have made commitments to get in shape. Visit that same gym in early February and you will notice that the buzz has become a slow drip. All of us have made commitments to start and/or stop things that we have failed. In fact, we have become so accustomed to this that many of us have given up believing that we can change. In love, I want to challenge us (me included). We must ask ourselves, “If we say we believe in Jesus Christ—do we follow him?” Notice I didn’t say, “Do we follow his teaching(s)?” Knowing and applying what Jesus taught is certainly a crucial part of our faith journey. Personally, my faith has been strengthened and my spirit refreshed by reading the Bible daily. Yet, Jesus is not reduced to ancient teachings or wise sayings. Jesus is alive! Jesus is still teaching! Jesus is still leading! The hope of every believer and the entire cosmos is that Jesus is coming back to earth! Paul put it best, “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed (Romans 13:11, NIV). Friends, we must not allow the distractions of life to stop us in pursuing and following Jesus. Only the path that Jesus leads us on truly matters and will bring fulfillment. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution, perhaps we can prayerfully make small changes that will make a big difference.
Small Changes
-Read scripture on a weekly, leading to daily basis (devotionals count as well).
-Begin and end each day in prayer (keeping a prayer journal helps).
-Attend a worship on a weekly basis.
-Serve somewhere on at least a monthly basis.
-Pray specifically, “Lord, place me on the path you want me on. Not my will but yours.”
I am blessed to be on this journey with you,
Pastor Keith