Who hasn't made new year resolutions and not kept them, right?!
Well, it's the end of another year again, so new year resolutions are there in almost everyone's mind I guess. Having made and broken many myself and having seen it with others also, I am inclined to believe that most resolutions falls into either the 'mission impossible' category (e.g. I quit cigarettes) or the 'cop out' category (e.g. My resolution is not to make any resolutions this year).
You see, too often, we worship leaders also chicken out with weak resolutions like these:
I will learn 'x' number of songs this year... I will write 'y' number of songs this year... I will read 'z' number of books this year...
I mean, big deal!
I was thinking about this when a passage from the book of Job came to mind challenging me to take up a different kind of resolutions—for life and not just for this year.
And this post is me passing on the challenge on to you.
So what's Job got to do with new year resolutions?
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman." (Job 31:1)
Look around us—sexual depravity is everywhere! Just about every other movie or TV program is promoting and celebrating promiscuity, fornication and unnatural relationships. It's like lust is a must! How about resolving to deal with it on a personal level at least? Doing away with porn, fantasies, sleazy TV/Internet programs once and for all and maintaining right relationships with those of the opposite sex?
“If I have walked with falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit—let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless..." (Job 31:5-6)
Because of our public actions/ministries, people may look at us as spiritual persons, good Christians, leaders, elders etc. How about resolving to be that person when no one's watching us and practice integrity in private? There are too many scandals/controversies going around in the Christian world—let's not open any door or window to add to them.
“If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless..." (Job 31:16-17)
Again, let's look around—there are too many needy people for us to serve. How about resolving to serve them? Maybe we can't fulfill everyone's needs, but can we at least start with a few? Mother Teresa once said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."
“If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained... then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high." (Job 31: 24-28)
The longer we are in ministry, stronger becomes the ability to rely on our own talents, experience and thinking. How about resolving to go back to the Lord like a child and ensure He alone is our security and source? Not ourselves, our gear, our singing or musical prowess etc.
“I have not allowed my mouth to sin..." (Job 31:30)
As worship leaders, I believe that we should extol God more than anyone else. But we also speak such profane stuff at times—foul language, slander, gossip, lies etc. How about resolving to guard our thoughts and tongues so that only good things come out of them as much as possible?
I encourage you to read Job 31 fully, you might want to make other resolutions after that!
Wish you a blessed new year—and thank you for reading my blog.
