It's the first hours of 2006. Yes, a new beginning... a fresh start. I love fresh starts and new beginnings. It's like you get a "do over"... a chance to get it right this time. It's amazing to me and I'm in constant awe of God's grace toward us who believe. He lets us have fresh starts and do overs every minute of every day. For me, that's one of the compelling components of grace.
New Years Resolutions. Every year I say I'm not going to have resolutions... it's perhaps an ill attempt at not failing. Yet, every year I sit down and forge out resolutions. I just reviewed my "Top 10" from 2005 and I was surprised to find that I hit just about all of them with some degree of accuracy... amazing!
This year I have one true resolution: To grow in my "friendship" with God. At first glance this will sound pretty basic, however, this involves an intentionality on my part that will require great effort and will. Friendship requires intimacy... intimacy requires vulnerability... vulnerability requires TIME. There are no shortcuts here. Just an attitude of constantly "drawing near" to God.
Read carefully the words of Frank Laubach:
"To be able to look backward and say, “This, this has been the finest year of any life”—that is glorious! But anticipation! To be able to look ahead and say, “The present year can and will be better!”—that is more glorious! I have done nothing but open windows—God has done the rest. There has been a succession of marvelous experiences of the friendship of God. I resolved that I would succeed better this year with my experiment of filling every minute full of the thought of God than I succeeded last year." (from his personal journal dated Jan 3, 1930)
That's it for me. Simple. Basic. Life-giving. How about you? Can you simplify your New Year's Resolution down to one basic statement? What is the "win" for you for 2006? I would love to hear from you.
Grace to You,
Jimmy
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