The tree is back to its dank basement box.
Half a dozen bags of holiday trash line the curb, much to the garbage man’s chagrin.
The Christmas lights have been taken down—or at least turned off.
The holiday is over, and, as my Grandmama says, the “letdown” ensues.
But as the first few days of the new year melt away, I find myself joining the masses in wondering what’s next. I wonder how the events of the next 365 days will leave me changed. And, like so many others, I wonder how I should use this flip of the calendar as a fresh start.
We all know what we should do. I should exercise at least three days out of every week, eliminate fast food and sodas from my diet and take my vitamins faithfully.
I should change so many things about my attitude and my habits and my appearance, but for me, as long as a change is just something I should do, I won’t. And if I do, my well-meaning actions will fizzle long before December 31st of 2008.
If I am going to truly change, the knowledge of what I should do must be coupled with a desire of my own.
As constricting as I find the rules for achieving a healthy lifestyle, I realize that for many, the laws that govern the lives of Christians seem even more unforgiving and rigid.
My desire (for 2008 and always) is that I can be a part of helping people to realize that following Christ is far more than just adhering to a lengthy do and don’t list. Following Christ means going on an incredible journey that is anything but boring. It is about hope and grace, and it is about truth.
I don’t know what 2008—or even tomorrow—holds. I can’t predict what will—and won’t—happen during the span of this upcoming year. I don’t know if I’ll actually get in shape, learn to better manage my time or accomplish any other of the ambitious goals I should achieve for myself.
This world we live in is unpredictable, and, as humans, so are we.
Yet:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
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2 comments:
Good post! I thank God every day that even though I change (and it's not always for the better as I would hope) that God remains the same. He's faithful when we're faithless. He's our strength when we're weak... He's everything we can't be. As you said said, I don't know what tomorow brings, thank God... He does! I stumbled upon your blog and enjoyed reading what you've written. Thanks, Steve
"We all know what we should do."
How true, how very true. Sometimes our brain says to do one thing, and our stomach says to do the opposite. Too often, the stomach wins.
Jim
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