RESOLUTIONS!

I wrote this on New Years Eve 2016 – seems I still have a way to go!

Its that time of the year again, when the mind turns to making good resolutions for the year to come. Generally, I try to make one resolution, which is ‘don’t make resolutions’. Otherwise I think I am just setting myself up for failure. I always start well but the initial enthusiasm doesn’t sustain me and then I feel guilty that I haven’t followed through.

However, it is a good idea to reflect and think about those core values that I want to commit to and give evidence of in the next chapter of my life. You never know, that may result in changed behaviour, almost resolution by stealth!

In a letter to a bunch of Hebrew Christians a couple of thousand years ago, the writer gave a list of ten behaviours that seem to me to be a pretty good pattern to follow:
· Love each other vs1
· Show hospitality to strangers vs2
· Identify with prisoners, the persecuted and the ill treated vs3
· Be faithful in your marriage and make it work vs 4
· Let your character be free from the love of money, be content with what you have vs 5
· Remember those people that got you where you are and copy them vs 7
· Don’t get carried away by wacky ideas and strange teaching vs 9
· Keep doing good to others and share what you have with them vs 16
· Obey your leaders and submit to them vs 17
· Pray for those who established you vs 18

As I look at this list I find that in every case there is room for improvement and I can certainly address myself to them. Maybe a strategy or a SMART goal or two, or even a KPI might help to keep me on track (just joking).But the reality, for me at least, is that unless the Jesus Christ who is the same today as he was in the past and will be in the future is not the one who guides and motivates me then it is just another set of resolutions that probably won’t get past February.