2010

We write on the last day of this adventurous year of 2009 and ponder on the journey waiting for us in 2010.  This is the moment in the year where everyone focuses on their good intentions of making themselves their ‘best’ self and reorganizing their lives to fit within the change of a new year.  Sitting here, separated from the distractions of the American dream, we are at a different place of contemplation for any resolutions to come within the new year.

Galatians 1: 22-24,

“I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report. The man who formally persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. And they praised God because of me.”

This passage depicts a man who pondered upon the new year resolution within each passing day- making his life choices and his decisions anew because of Christ’s power at work within him. Paul’s testament of faith teaches us that God will use us when we are weak, when we feel incompetent, when we are inexperienced, when we feel uncomfortable, and that God will use us outside of our abilities and our character, all to bring glory to Him. God used Paul, a murderer and a persecutor of Christians, to show how a life can be changed. In this circumstance, people recognized that Paul would not be able to change his murderous ways by himself- They PRAISED God because of his transformation. God is the only ONE who can change a life in such a dramatic way; therefore, he is the only one who we can give the credit to. The American temptress lure attempts to make us believe in our own merits, in our own ability to succeed, in our own strength, and in our own fame. God teaches us that He can change anyone, full transformation and freedom in Christ, no matter what former years have possessed- a dramatic life change gives the glory only to God- God extends His mercy and His grace upon an oppressed individual- others recognize life change which points them to God- the changed person can bear witness to God’s power and personally testify to living with and without faith-

We, as believers, need to recognize when God is putting us in a position outside of our comforts in order to grow us and to make us dependent on him; therefore, our ultimate success is ONLY because of Him. The truth is that it does not matter how we succeed in this world or what our new year’s resolution may be if God is not the heartbeat behind its change.

Paul continues to say, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal. 1:10.

Our challenge for ourselves, as well as for you, for this new year of 2010 is the truth found in Gal. 1:10. Am I seeking the approval of man or of God? The rest of the resolutions are like passing shadows if we can not answer the focus of our intents.

May this new year bring us the embrace of a life devoted to Christ and as Paul was used as a testament of God’s power, may our lives demonstrate God’s hand at work. As 2011 rolls around, may we be able to reflect upon the journey of ’10 and say, “And they PRAISED God because of me.” May our lives depict God’s grace, His mercy, and His humility. May ’10 and the resolutions that come with it, not be based off of our own merits and our own desires, but entirely off of God’s purpose and plan to use us for His glory.