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The Pastoral Lens
Fresh Start or False Start
Tuesday, December 31, 2002
Every year around this time, we start hearing big, puffy promises being made that usually don't last past the end of January. Of course, I'm talking about New Year's resolutions. Who came up with these things, anyway? It surely wasn't the cigarette companies, although the fitness clubs may be responsible. More often than not, these "promises" are made proudly and quickly without much thought to the effort needed to carry them out.I have a brother who belongs to a health club where he lives. He hates working out in January because the place is always jam packed with armchair quarterbacks trying to make good on their great boasts made during some flight of fancy in front of friends. He assures me, however, that his angst only lasts the month. By February, things are back to normal and the health club has made their profit off 3-month memberships which don't get past the 30-day mark.
Back in 1982 I boldly resolved to run every single day that year. I have always been a fitness fiend, of sorts, and felt this was a realistic goal. Alas, after several 11:30 pm runs just to keep the streak alive, I cracked during the Ides of March. What began as a bold venture on a new frontier ended as yet another false start.
Any student of the Bible knows that the God of the Bible is a God of fresh starts and new beginnings. Listen to these words from the prophet, Isaiah: "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18,19). I like the promise of getting a chance to start something over again. God is like that. He gives us a second chance. It has been said that a person never gets a second chance to make a first impression, but with God you do.
I visited Israel back in January of 1998. One of the things that the guide said which really amazed me was how parched wilderness areas could flourish with desert flowers literally overnight with a sudden torrent of rain. What appeared to be lifeless ground would transform into a brightly coloured plain of flowers with an overnight rainfall. Amazing! This is how the Lord works. He takes our false starts and gives us a chance at a fresh start.
So, have you made any New Year's resolutions for 2003? If so, ask the Lord for some help keeping it. He can make the weight of keeping your big promise a lot lighter. Believe me, I know from experience. Have a blessed and prosperous new year!
