Entry #25 -- New Year's Solution

Ah, yes. Time once again to make New Year’s Resolutions. Why? I could make a resolution about money; but come December 31, 2018, I’m either going to have more money or less money than I do right now. I could make a resolution about my weight; but come December 31, 2018, I’m either going to weigh more or weigh less than I do right now. I could make a resolution involving time; but come December 31, 2018, I’m going to have the same number of hours and minutes in a day as I do right now. I think the latest statistics show something like 8% or 9% of resolutions are kept, and something like 80% or 90% fail by February. Whoa! This blog is sounding a bit on the gloomy side, so let’s shift the focus.

What is the goal or purpose of a resolution? By definition; making a resolution is a way to have or show that you are determined to take action for some future purpose. In most cases it seems we make a resolution because we perceive a problem that needs to be fixed. Examples might be in the case of too little money—a resolution to save more money; in the case of too much weight—a resolution to lose more weight; in the case of time management—oh well, let’s talk about it later. Yes, that was intended to be humorous.

What is the greatest problem I face, or you face? My first thought was that we are living in a world so desperately in need of a Savior, yet all-the-while desperately trying to ignore their need of a Savior. As we find in the book of Jude:

“But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” Jude, vs. 20-21 (NLT)

I am confident you would agree with me that this is a most serious problem. However; let’s go a step beyond this and I think we will discover an even more serious problem in our world. The prophet Amos warned his people then; and we would do well to be warned today:

“ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Sovereign LORD, ‘when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.’ ” Amos 8:11-12 (NIV)

Now to be clear, there is nothing wrong with making a New Year’s Resolution since it does bring about focus for change. However, I would submit that perhaps what is truly needed is a New Year’s Solution. As Christians, we know the solution to the most serious problem in our world: The world needs to hear the Good News, the Gospel that shares the path to salvation through belief in Jesus Christ our Lord. And WE need to be the spreaders of that Solution!

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” I Peter 3:15 (NIV)
 “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord…” 2 Timothy 1:8 (NIV)
 “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
 “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15 (NLT)
 “I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 (NLT)

Here is my challenge to you:

In the year 2018, rather than make a personal New Year’s Resolution—make every effort to be part of the New Year’s Solution of spreading the Gospel to a world in need.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian