Resolutions

A new year is upon us once again and with it comes a time to look back over the previous season as we prepare to move forward into the next. For many, 2011 lasted way too long, bringing with it pain and suffering, loss and regret. Others saw their hopes and dreams come into reality during that same time. But neither group is wanting to relive that year, only to move forward into something better. So, after reflecting on 2011, we make new resolutions, things that we are committed to see happen in the New Year. And while I have not been a fan of New Year’s resolutions in that past, realizing that most are cast aside before the end of January, this year is a little different. Having emerged from probably the worst year of my life, I have committed to reflecting on those circumstances for the purpose of learning and growing in my faith journey. So, below are the resolutions that have been on my heart. I share them so that I might be better understood and also held accountable.

Resolve: Discipleship over programs.

The mission of the church is to make disciples and Jesus gave us the example to follow. He didn’t come to create ministries and programs. Rather, He spent time pouring into a few men. Yes, He preached to the masses, but He often did so in parables which He didn’t readily explain. Instead, to the ones who were eager to follow after Him and to listen and to learn, to those He explained all He was doing. He equipped them in about 3 years to take His place as teacher. If we’re honest, there is very little discipleship happening in the church today, not in America anyway.

Resolve: Faith over doctrine.

In the place of discipleship, the church has created programs that better resemble universities than synagogues. The Jewish way of discipleship was one where the One True God was given absolute authority over all areas of life and creation. But we have set ourselves over this God and subjected Him and His Kingdom to dissection and examination. Just like anything else we subject to the authority of science, we believe if we understand the parts, we can comprehend and manipulate the whole. And like the buffet, we take the parts that we prefer and disregard anything that doesn’t conform to our will. But doesn’t the Bible say, “Without proper doctrine it is impossible to please God”? Well, no, it doesn’t. But it does say, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). And this statement is not just about assent to certain doctrinal statements. No, it is found within a chapter of Scripture that describes those who committed their everything, even their lives, to serving God faithfully. They weren’t perfect people, but they were earnest. We need to commit to developing faith in Christ’s disciples.

Resolve: Glory over expedience.

Too much of what we do is because it serves our desires best with the least amount of pain. But that was not the example which Christ gave to us. Rather, He chose to glorify God in all that He did, regardless of the suffering waiting along the path. And I would suggest that without God’s glory being your highest priority, there is nothing sufficient to sooth the pain of life. Don’t kid yourself; the quick and easy solutions that you choose today will have painful consequences, either in this life or in eternity. It is only in a wholehearted commitment to seeing God glorified in your life that you can stand up through the pain. We desperately need something worth suffering for and that is God alone.

Resolve: Strength in weakness.

Everything in our flesh wants to establish and proclaim our power and authority. But, at the risk of sounding repetitious, Christ gave us a model of meekness. He was humble. And like my mentor taught me, humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. It is taking on the role and attitude of a servant. We can choose to exalt ourselves now before men, or we can choose the Jesus way and humble ourselves now and be exalted by God before all of creation. For some, maybe myself included, we need to release those who have wronged us. The world says that we should retaliate. Your flesh says that you can show them real power and suffering. But the Lord says that He will right all wrongs. We need to come to Him humbly in prayer and allow Him to hold us up, regardless of the strong bulls of Bashan. Meekness is true strength in faith-filled restraint. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Resolve: Empowering over empowerment.

This last resolution is sort of a summation of all the others. The ministry which the Lord has given and which He blesses is one that equips and empowers others to be His faithful disciples. Biblical leadership is not about power and control. Christian leaders give power away. Ours is a life characterized by the desire to work yourself out of a job. This was the case with John the Baptizer, who proclaimed of Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). It was also the case for Jesus who said that He must leave His disciples so that the Spirit would come in order that His disciples would do greater things than He (John 14:12). Beware, lest you become the person who desires power and position and feels threatened by anyone who appears superior to you. Rather, we are all parts of Christ’s body and the weaker parts are the indispensable ones (1 Corinthians 12:22).