Psa.119:33-40 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
This time of year everyone thinks about the new year and what it will hold. It can be a time of renewal and a fresh start. Many people plan their fresh start with New Year’s resolutions. They are trying to improve their lives. They are looking for hope for the future. But if you take a close look most of the resolutions are superficial; losing weight, exercising more, being financially responsible, quitting smoking and so on. All of them are positive, but they don’t really get to the heart of what it is to be human. They aren’t at all about relationships or personal growth. Being human is about the social, emotional and spiritual connections we develop that make us feel safe and comfortable, extend our reach and tighten our relationships with others, God included. As spiritual creatures this is what life is really about. We want to improve our relationships with each other. Many people choose relationship types of resolutions, to be a better husband, complain less or be nicer to others. These are a little closer to what makes our life better, but they aren’t fundamental changes, only behavioral changes. To really enrich life and to have that deep satisfaction there needs to be a spiritual renewal that changes us at the core. When all is said and done, having a closer walk with God and feeling safe in that is what ultimately satisfies our soul desires.
When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt he not only gave them a bunch of laws and rules of worship, he also gave them a calendar of feasts and celebrations intended as reminders and renewals (Lev 23). The first celebration of the new year for the Jews was Passover followed the next day by the feast of unleavened bread, both intended remind the people what God had done for them. The next day was the feast of firstfruits during which the people would offer back to God from the bounty of their spring barley harvest. It was their thanksgiving for God’s providence. Later in the year they had solemn feasts to remind them of what God had done for them or to cause them to be introspective about their lives. The Sabbath also was instituted to cause them to take regular breaks every seven days to focus on God and their relationship with him. Through their schedule they were given regular opportunities to worship God and focus on their spiritual condition. God wanted to make sure that they were continually reminded of his presence in their lives. He knows how easy it is to become distracted or caught up in the business of life and forget to include him or communicate with him so he created a structure for them to be reminded all the time.
Just like for the Jews, it is important to regularly rededicate our relationship with God and take an accounting of our spiritual condition. That means creating a strategy to have regular time for prayer, study, discernment, and always being mindful about God’s ideas and purposes (Jer 29:11). I would like to challenge everyone to consider resolutions this year focused on spiritual growth and a renewed dedication to God. When that is first everything else will fall into place (Mat 6:25).