I can barely catch my breath after making it through a tumultuous 2020. The Rose Parade was canceled because of COVID though Trump supporters held a “Patriots Rose Parade” with cars and trucks sporting US and Trump flags instead of the usual Rose Floats. For the 
second time in its long tradition the Rose Bowl left California and relocated to Texas. Even with a pandemic people celebrated Christmas and so the trashcans that line our street are filled with gift boxes, wrapping paper, and drying Christmas trees. Most of our decorations are packed but not completely put away. It is the first week of January and so I say to you, “Happy New Year!” A new year has begun.
The start of a new year is often met with a mixture of adventure and apprehension. There is the thrill of hope in successful ventures ahead and, for many, the fear of failure and losses to be lamented. So many have made resolutions of change to ring in the New Year only to be disappointed and disillusioned shortly thereafter that some have given up all hope. I heard someone say to me that they resolve to make no resolution for the New Year; that way they would be sure not to fail. And in a sense they were right.
Without any goal, there is no failure of it. It is also true that you can lose no race that you never enter. But I also want you to consider that without any possibility of failing, there is no success. Without any chance of losing, there is not an opportunity to win either. And you are meant to win.
The Bible is a book of hope and teaches the power of God to change lives. It is a calling to a better life and open to all who will receive it. We struggle to our own peril when we ignore the principles laid out for us, the revealing of the secrets to the abundant life that Jesus said he came to bring. In living the Christian life, the Scriptures teach a balance between being content today and a willingness to make the necessary changes for a more purposeful tomorrow. These words from I Timothy 6:6 put it succinctly: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” Jesus taught people to focus on the cares of today without worrying about tomorrow, while turning away from lifestyles now that hinder us and our opportunities for the future. The passages are replete with seemingly lofty goals of living with an abundance of divine love, joy and peace. And truly these would be lofty in the sense of unreachable if there was no power for real change. But there is power.
I think many people misunderstand the concept of “repenting from sin.” They relegate the phrase to old-time religion and an outdated message. And, yes, while there is a ring of King James English in it, the concept of turning away from anything that separates us from the power of God to live out our intended purpose is always real and relevant. God, who made you, loves you. He has a purpose for every person. He desires what is truly best for you and describes what our lives and future can look like if only we would follow him. This does mean changes.
So I encourage you to make resolutions. Resolve to follow God’s will for you. Resolve to say, “Yes” to him and all that he has for you, both now and forever. Resolve to put away lifestyles and habits that separate us from God’s will for us. Resolve to trust God. Resolve to rest in the love and grace, forgiveness and peace, that comes from him through his son, Jesus Christ. Resolve to get into the Bible this year; read the whole thing. And let every day be a day of resolution; a day to remember to stay on course.
Instead of merely resolving to increase your financial position and to acquire more things” as in years past, let this year be a year of stepping deeper into the water of life.