Ahh... Resolutions!

Dr. Samuel Johnson

In 1738, the literary giant Samuel Johnson, who made lasting contributions to English literature, wrote in his diary: "Oh Lord, enable me to redeem the time which I have spent in sloth."  Nineteen years later, he wrote, "Oh mighty God, enable me to shake off sloth and redeem the time misspent in idleness and sin by diligent application of the days yet remaining."  He wrote some variation of this prayer every year after that.  

Finally, in 1775, 38 years after his first resolution, he wrote, "When I look back upon resolution of improvement and amendments which have, year after year, been made and broken, why do I yet try and resolve again?  I try because reformation is necessary and despair is criminal."

Mr. Johnson could be describing my life… or perhaps, your life.  We start every year thinking, “This is the year!”  We resolve to turn over a new leaf - and by golly, this time we are dead serious!  We promise ourselves we're going to quit bad habits and replace them with good ones.  We're going to get in shape, we are going to eat better, we are not going to waste any time – we’ll be more content, more disciplined, and on and on it goes. We're going to be better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters.  And then, twelve months later, we realize, like Samuel Johnson, that we’ve fallen short … again.

I really understand Dr. Johnson's position.  I've resolved countless numbers of times to accomplish things, and most every time, find myself back to making the same resolution the next year.  Why can't I be more consistent?  Why is making changes so difficult?

The gospel is the good news announcing Jesus' unshakable devotion to us in spite of our inconsistent devotion to him.  As this new year gets under way, take comfort in knowing that even though we are weak - he is strong.  Even as our love for Jesus may sometimes fall short, Jesus' love for us never will!

Blessings to you and the new year’s resolutions you are making in order to be a better you!

This message is also January 4th's Morning Meditation Moment on KWOA.

You can listen to it on Monday at around 8:25 am on 730 on your am dial.