The New Year And Resolutions To Change

January 2008

“You are my witnesses and my servant whom I have chosen… declares the Lord” – Isaiah 43:10

With each new year we are bombarded with images, speeches, and “encouragings” to make this the year of change. Even before the celebration of Christmas is behind us, the message of it’s a new day, start something, or do it for the “gipper” (substitute any name) abound. What is this infatuation with doing something?

Is it a natural desire to improve ourselves? Or perhaps, simply a marketing ploy to get us to purchase something… anything…  so long as we can feel as if we are doing something positive. The operative word here seems to be “doing”. Remember the “Just Do It” campaigns swirling around everything from getting in shape to giving up illegal drug use? As if changing and becoming different was as simple as making a decision to just do it.

I think it is normal to desire to improve ourselves and our situation. However, I’m convinced that “change” does not begin with a decision as simple as choosing to eat a salad rather than a steak, but with surrender. Change that lasts only comes from a heart-felt decision to surrender anew to Jesus and acknowledge our inability to become the men and women He envisioned us to be by our own efforts.

People who steadily grow more in the likeness of Jesus are characterized by an intimacy with Him found only through times of repeated surrender and renewal to His lordship in their lives. The one act of “doing” that pays the greatest benefit is the act of surrender. For through surrender we not only acknowledge our inability to grow in His likeness, but we allow Jesus to guide our decisions again. Growing into the likeness of Jesus is not about us doing something new, but about aligning our lives with His plans.

Alignment with the will of Jesus comes only through conscious surrender, not through our own efforts. And one more thing, no one can surrender for us, it is our task alone.

I pray that the year ahead of you be the best and most “aligned” year yet. That the desires of your heart become the reality of each day as you grow closer and more like Jesus, our Lord and Savior. God bless you serve and lead.

For a word of encouragement as you begin this new year read Isaiah 43.

Send this Column to a Friend






Past Columns

Return to top