Resolutions for Holy Living

One of my favorite cartoons by Charles Schultz features Charlie Brown and Lucy. In the opening caption Charlie Brown says to Lucy, "Happy New Year, Lucy! Have you made any new year's resolutions? Lucy replies, "New year's resolutions? Why should I make new year's resolutions? Resolutions are for people who aren't satisfied with the way they are, aren't they? Are you implying that there's something wrong with me? Do you think I need to improve? What's the matter with the way I am?  Do you see any room for improvement in my life?" The last picture shows a frowning Charlie Brown walking away saying, "Good grief, I'm sorry I brought it up!"

It is the time to bring it up, for resolutions are a part of beginning a new year. Resolutions are at best an attempt to examine life and determine what needs to be done to improve its quality. To engage in such a process causes us to evaluate what life has been like, and to dream of what life can become. This, I believe, is-a good-exercise for as Christians. We should consider some resolutions for holy living in 2013, for I suspect, unlike Lucy, none of us are content with the way we are, and we can see room for improvement.

In the third chapter of Colossians, the Apostle Paul offered resolutions for holy living. He wrote these words of encouragement and guidance to provide direction for living for the Christians of his day. He commended them for their faithfulness in Christ, and expressed hope that they would be filled with the knowledge of God's will. He also expressed his desire that they might have wisdom and spiritual understanding so they might walk worthy of the Lord, be fruitful in every good work, and increase in the knowledge of God. Paul's words, even though they were written almost two thousand years ago, still challenge us to a life of more faithful and holy living.

In the letter to the Colossians, Paul reminded those Christians that Christ's followers are chosen people, holy and dearly loved, whose lives should reflect certain holy characteristics. Consider what he wrote: "Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don't worry about making a good impression on them but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of heart which comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.” (The Living Bible) After meditating upon these words, I have developed my own list of resolutions for holy living. I hope you will do the same.

First, I resolve to remember what God has done in my life and to be thankful.  Charles Swindoll gives a good illustration of life using an oyster and pearl. He writes: "Pearls are the product of pain. For some unknown reason, the shell of the oyster gets pierced and an alien substance--a grain of sand-- slips inside. On the entry of that foreign irritant, all the resources within the tiny, sensitive oyster rush to the spot and begin to release healing fluids that otherwise would remain dormant. By and by, the irritant is covered and the wound is healed, and a pearl is formed. No other gem has so fascinating a history. It is the symbol of stress--a healed wound, a precious tiny jewel conceived through irritation, born of adversity, nursed by adjustments. Had there been no wounding, no irritating interruption, there could have been no pearl.”  When I review my life, and realize what God has done, there is cause for thanksgiving. We must all remember that God can transform our lives into something beautiful and valuable, even in the midst of pain and suffering.  We need to look for the "pearls" that have resulted from pain of the past and thank God for the good resulting from such pain. I resolve to remember what God has done in my life and to be thankful. How about you?

Second, I resolve to be more patient and merciful. I have learned some valuable lessons from parishioners. Some have given me the gifts of their patience and mercy. In my first sermon in a new appointment I would usually say, "No doubt you will have many expectations of me as your new pastor. I will also have expectations of you. I will probably not live up to all of your expectations, nor will you live up to all of mine." I'm sure that has been true in every appointment. Yet what has brought me thus far is a deep awareness of the importance of patience in the midst of my impatience. Not only because of the inspiration of the scriptures, but because of what have learned from patient family members and friends, I resolve to be more patient and merciful in the new year. How about you?

Third, I resolve to experience and practice forgiveness. Being given a new year is like being given a brand new chalkboard and a fresh box of chalk. We can do with it as we like. Hopefully some of our "scribbling" on the chalkboard of life will be for the good, and will reflect the spirit and attitude of the one whom we are called to follow. But even when we fall short and mess up, God gives us an eraser so we can change our mistakes. The process is called forgiveness. I have made many mistakes in my lifetime, and will make many more, but what keeps me going and risking, is the assurance of God's forgiveness and the gift of forgiveness available for and from others. Healing takes place when we experience forgiveness. We can move forward toward a brighter and better day. We all need that assurance as we begin a new year. We need forgiveness for our own sake and for the Church's sake. I resolve to experience and practice forgiveness.  How about you? 

Fourth, I resolve to work harder at letting Christ-like love guide my life. Paul helps us understand how Christmas love can find expression in our lives. Remember what he said to the Christian community in Corinth in that great passage called the "love chapter"? It is in the 13th chapter of I Corinthians that we find the formula for  Christ-like love. It is not some sentimental, mushy feeling, but specific expressions of behavior that reach out and touch peoples' lives. Paul concluded that great list of love characteristics with these words: "Make love your aim." So important is this expression of faith that he included it again as he wrote his letter to the Colossians. As Christians we must ask, "What ways can Christ's love find expression through me?" As I ask that question I resolve to let Christ-like love guide my life. How about you?

Fifth, I resolve to spend more time searching for God's will for my life each day. There have been times when my life was so filled with activities that I simply went through the motions without asking how God’s will was involved in all I was doing. I eventually learned that the most important priority for a pastor is not keeping everyone happy, making a good impression, impressing peers or accomplishing great tasks to build a name for yourself. Pastors have a responsibility to discover and fulfill God's will for their lives and to help parishioners do the same. A pastor’s single most important task in ministry is to understand and be faithful to his/her calling, so that what he/she does with his/her life in living the gospel will be pleasing to God. What's true of a pastor’s calling and actions is also true of laity.

I once visited with a dear elderly and faithful church member who said that she begins each day with a simple prayer: "Lord, what do you want me to do today?"  I resolve to spend more time searching for God's will for my life and to be open to wherever He chooses to lead me. How about you?

As we begin a new year, may we discern what is required of us to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. May our resolutions shape a lifestyle of holy living that will be pleasing to God.