New Year, New You

I was invited to a "Anti-Resolution Post-New Year's Party," which I had to laugh at. Really, it was just a get-together of some friends, but the host accented the fact that there would be unhealthy food, you'll probably stay up too late and not want to exercise, and it will prevent you from finishing that book you avowed to finish.

It's like this almost every year. I can only think of one year where I did make a lifestyle change (it was "drink more water"), but a new year always feels like a blank slate. But, what are we doing when we establish goals and fail at them?


But, isn't that exactly what our spiritual walk is? We know that we will fail, but we stand up after falling down, over and over again. Because what we do know is that God's way--the "straight and narrow"--is one worth pursuing.

If you have ever been in a platonic or romantic relationship (HINT: you have), then you know that even if you get in a fight, or someone disappoints you, the relationship will heal if it is worth its weight. Who wants to end a friendship over a torn sweater that she borrowed? Who wants to end a romantic relationship because he admitted he finds the new Wonder Woman "hot"? The fights and squabbles we have sound ridiculous when compared to ending the whole relationship.

But, there is a danger in setting up goals. If we decide that our faith is "doing" things rather than being saved by grace, we can fall into a spiral of guilt, "I am supposed to go to church, but I made some poor choices last night...so, I shouldn't go because I will feel like a hypocrite." In the words of Casting Crowns' "Who Am I?" grace is summed up as:

Not because of who I am
But because of what you've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who you are

When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid themselves. In our shame and conviction, that is exactly what Satan wants. What will God think? What will people think? In our darkest times, sometimes, we have to step out into the light and remember that God's grace is bigger than any of our failures. That His grace covers every misstep and stumble. That our relationship is worth its weight to Him.

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