From the Pulpit: Resolution – Hope

First, if you have made a resolution large or small; God’s peace to you and I pray that you are given focus, will-power, resolve and peace. But…

I’m not sure that anyone is big on New Year’s resolutions these days. Not trying to be cynical, it just seems like most resolutions burn out before they even get going. Perhaps I’m wrong, but it seems like I hear more jokes about failed resolutions than I see people making serious plans to change this time of year. And  personally, I’ve never been one to put too much into them. Of course, there are things that I hope I can accomplish in the coming year. But these are things I’ve been thinking about and working on already so placing a start date of Jan. 1 on them seems a little arbitrary. Still…

A new year. A fresh calendar. A reason to hope.

Yes, hope. Because hope is what’s at the core of every resolution. Whether it’s a fitness plan, a financial goal, organizing your closet/garage/life, or something else, all these plans are made in hope that they will happen and accomplish what we hope they will! That the resolutions will change our lives for the better and we will be a changed person in the new year and in the years to come. 

Yes, we hope. Hope is a powerful thing! Hope is also a tricky thing. Hope looks to a future that does not yet exist. It looks past the horizon of what is to what will be. Hope requires faith. Allow me to point you to a verse in Hebrews that many of us know well.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

What we place our faith in has a big impact on our ability to hope. If we place our faith in ourselves: our plans, abilities, strength and hope that by our own efforts all we resolve to do will be accomplished, then we are often disappointed. If we place our hopes in others, we may be strengthened by the community and comradery but ultimately, we face the same problems of human weakness, of disappointment and failure. 

So, we have faith in the only one who’s resolution is unwavering; who’s commitment to us is complete; who does not grow distracted or weary in face of a challenge: Jesus Christ, Emmanuel; God with us. The good news that we celebrate in our congregations on Christmas is that God has come to be with us and that God resolves to be with us every day in everything. 

Consider that Jesus, when he knew it was time for him to be betrayed, handed over and crucified “set his face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). Jesus resolves to do everything it takes to bring the grace, mercy and love of God to all people. God resolves to give you life abundant and everlasting. Put your hope in that! Have faith that! Because when God resolves to do something, it is done.

No matter how you are doing on those resolutions so far, remember this: Your efforts and best intentions, your failures and false starts cannot change or break the love that God has for you as you are, where you are. 

Be resolved to live with that good news in your heart and let the hope be the source of transformed and faithful living! Happy (and hopeful) New Year!

(Next week: What happens when we feel guilty about the things we have done yet?)