Worship Wednesday | December 29th

The New Year

Resolutions will be coming. How should we live out this next year? What should we aim for? What should we try to accomplish? I pray and hope that if Christians are creating New Year resolutions, there is also a filter with which they are creating these goals. 

Disclaimer: goals are good.

I believe that we were created as aiming creatures, because we have two eyes in the front of our bodies that are hyperfocused on what’s directly in front of us. We need something to strive toward. But we also need a filter of sorts to help guide us to what we aim at. 

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”

Matthew 6:31-34, ESV. 

Aim at the day. And in the day, aim for what is godly and for what is important to the kingdom of God rather than what is important in our earthly, societal kingdoms. And even on the secular level, we know this to be the right way. If you had the goal to lose 100 pounds in 10 months, you don’t worry about the 10 months, you worry about what you’re going to eat TODAY. That’s how you get through it. 

If you’re a Christian, you shouldn’t have a picture of what you hope your life will look like, and then set these resolutions to try to make reality match the fantasy. Jesus sets our priorities for us. In the context of his words here, we can say daily seek first the kingdom and God’s righteousness, and you will be taken care of. You may not get the “life of your dreams,” but that won’t matter when you’re aligned with the lifestyle of God’s kingdom.

– Luke Soliwoda