new year

Looking back over the past year and looking foward to the year ahead stirs up a wide variety of emotions among people. Some cannot get rid of 2008 fast enough and look forward with great anticipation to what 2009 will hold. For others 2008 was a wonderful year, and they are somewhat anxious to experience what 2009 will offer. For some, January 1 may be just another date, except with a different year at the end. I am not usually one to make New Year's resolutions, in fact I find it somewhat annoying that people feel they must wait until the New Year before making big changes that should have been made sooner. Then they wake up January 2 and realize in the exhilarating moments of planning a new lifestyle, the goals they made were too lofty and they have already failed.

Before I become too critical of New Year's resolution makers, I must admit I did choose to make some goals for myself this year. I chose my resolutions carefully since I do not like to feel overwhelmed. I made simple choices such as learning to play the piano for example. I have pondered these resolutions for days and have become rather excited at the prospect of learning new things and becoming a more well rounded person. As I was thinking about what I can do to make myself a "better" person I realized my number one goal for this coming year. In fact it is not really a goal for this year but rather for my life. I have been learning that I need to become more like Jesus. This is not a profound observation but rather a constant, daily choice. Perhaps that is why it struck me. It is not that I do not want to be like Jesus, or that I choose to ignore him, I just sometimes forget. On the other hand sometimes I do something that is not Jesus-like and I wish I could forget. I am reading a book that says the more you pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your life and direct your conversations and interactions with others, the more adept you will become at discerning His nudging. I want to be in such close community with Jesus that I do not ever "forget" to be like Him or to allow him to use me.

"My life is in your hands, God. Use me to point someone toward you today-- I promise to cooperate in any way I can. If you want me to say a word for you today, I'll do that. If you want me to keep quiet but demonstrate love and servanthood, by your Spirit's power I will. I'm fully available to you today, so guide me by your Spirit." This prayer is taken from Bill Hybels book called Just Walk Across the Room. Imagine praying this every morning and meaning every word of it. Being completely open to whatever God prompts, no exceptions and no holding back. What a dangerous thing to pray, yet at the same time what an incredibly miraculous year we could have if we were open to and acted on the promptings of God himself.