With every New Year we make New Year’s resolutions, right? It’s a bit like Lent without the end of the forty days to look forward to. New Year’s resolutions are expected to be life changing. It is a bad habit we wish to drop. The holiday weight must go! We will be better organized, keep better books. We will quit smoking or have only two glasses of wine. It can be a good habit we want to foster: more exercise, eating more vegetables, more patience, or reading more books!
Whatever it is, the nature of a New Year’s resolution is that it is our attempt to “fix” a problem or reach for a “mark.” Sounds like redemption. And that is the point of this blog. Everything has been taken care of!
There is more than one thing I love about good theology but one of my most favorite things is that God has taken care of everything for us! So, does this mean we don’t have to do a single thing? (I wish!)
No, it does not mean we have nothing to do! But it does mean that through Jesus the Christ we have been provided a heavenly pass from condemnation (you can call that hell fire if that makes it more exciting for you) on the one hand and a promise of continued renewal on the other. God has taken care of it all.
We Christians do not have to wait for December 31st to turn away from what doesn’t work for us or turn toward newness! Do we want to explore a new way of handling our stress? Do we need an improved approach to relationships or to money? Or, do we want to just try a new approach to ourselves and our own shortfalls? Whatever it is: God provides.
Walk by faith in expectation of being changed. Approach the altar of grace with open heart, mind, and hands. God delivers. And, God is ready to deliver every day—even multiple times within each day! And, for that I am so very thankful!
Happy New Year!
Inez Torres Davis is director for justice.
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