“I Hereby Resolve . . . .”
If you watch television, listen to the radio, or read a newspaper, opinions as to the value (or lack thereof) of New Year’s resolutions vary widely. Some people find it helpful, even supportive, to clearly state changes and/or improvements they feel a need to make in their lives. Others find making resolutions a waste of time, as they are so unrealistic there’s virtually no chance of success The sense of failure when those goals aren’t reached just brings a person down, so why set yourself up for disappointment? The answer to “to resolve or not to resolve” is essentially a matter of individual choice, which is the way most of us like it.
I found a new twist on the theme of resolutions in a source I’ve used before — a comic strip in the daily newspaper. This time a cat and dog who talk with one another had the following exchange:
Cat said: “Here — I made you YOUR New Year’s resolutions.”
Dog replied: “You’re supposed to make resolutions that help YOU!”
Cat: “Believe me, these WILL.”
Most of us could make a list of resolutions for someone else — a family member, a co-worker, a neighbor — it probably wouldn’t take long at all. It’s amazing how easy it is to come up with ideas of how others could improve or change their ways. This is not to say we’d actually tell someone else what resolutions to make, but it’s easy to develop a mindset in which we’re critical and judgmental of others, even though we have no knowledge of their background or personal situation.
The Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, and 7, is a treasury of Jesus’ teachings, including the Lord’s Prayer, the Golden Rule, the “lilies of the field” and many familiar parables and lessons. Jesus understood very well how easy it is to slip into a judgmental attitude when he admonished his followers:
“Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)
These words from Jesus could well be a good resolution for this new year. Whenever decisions or choices need to be made, we simply ask ourselves, “What did Jesus say?” Start with those three chapters in Matthew, read these short, clear statements, and take a few minutes to consider their relevance in this new year of 2020. These chapters aren’t just a rule book, however, and as you read, you’ll also see the promises of our heavenly Father, and the forgiveness, mercy and love that are the foundation of our relationship with him. What a beautiful gift we are given, and how blessed we are to share it!
Resolving to keep asking questions,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers