Bob Dylan wrote a classic song called ‘Blowing in the Wind’ and one of the recurring phrases asks...”How many times/years/roads must....?” In other words what does it take for us to learn to make changes and do things differently?
As the old year turns one more time before heading for the exit and we prepare to greet the freshly minted 2012 I wonder whether you’re contemplating resolutions - again? :-) The traditional annual assessment of how my life is going, what I want to get rid of, and all the things I’m intending to do differently ‘next year’. Most of us are hesitant to make resolutions, or at least announce them publicly because we’re so aware of the probability of failure. We wince as we recall how rapidly our resolve and good intentions evaporated in the past and cynically wonder whether this future can possibly be any different? Humble hint: it probably won’t be if we chug along the same old track like we did last year, and the year before, and the year before......
Perhaps we would do better pursuing a new revelation for 2012 and leaving resolutions well alone. Think of resolutions as the crude tools our primitive relatives used to scratch letters on a slab of rock, contrasted with revelation being similar to downloading and utilizing the latest iPad. Resolutions are restricted to our capacity and ability to work at change and transformation in our own strength and ‘wisdom’. Revelation is dependent upon far greater resources downloaded to us in a manner beyond our comprehension and understanding. We utilize the technology without knowing how it works and we appreciate how it enhances our daily lives. In spiritual terms revelation helps us know God and his purpose for us; he downloads resources to help us that we could never naturally figure out or replicate on our own. Here are two revelations to consider.
The first revelation is that resolutions are soul destroying when made by someone who is merely intending to ‘try harder’ while utilizing the same resources that have constantly proved inadequate before. My will power is unreliable, my thoughts and attitude of mind are almost impossible to reign in and rely upon; circumstances and moods derail them with an ease that leaves me infuriated. I speak from years of experience; it’s not a good story at all. It’s why I don’t make resolutions in the light of the revelation that merely resolving to do better and try harder never works when I’m all I have to rely upon. Simply speaking, I can’t do life on my own, I need help beyond myself.
The second greater revelation is that Jesus alive in me will bring about a transformation that I could only dream of. Deep and lasting change begins with the revelation that God is a Father who loves me passionately and interactively. Because of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross as I confess my sin (wrongdoing, ego, rebellion, anything that replaces God at the centre) the delete button (in the shape of a Cross) eradicates it from the hard drive of my life - completely. I get rebooted and the virus is entirely removed by God’s grace. I’m even provided with new resources (app's) to think and act differently in the future. They are powered by God’s Spirit that bubbles up inside me with hope and expectancy. Transformation emerges like a butterfly from the chrysalis of a new heart where I’m loved, forgiven, and filled with the promise of a future secure in the faithfulness of my heavenly Father. Change happens from the inside out!
Hint: Dump resolution, and invite the wind of the Spirit of Jesus to blow through your life and fill your sails as you journey into a New Year - that will bring a revelation you won’t want to miss!!