New Year's Resolution Schtick!

So, first off, "Happy New Year" everybody! Congratulations, you made it: 2011 is now behind us and 2012 beckons ahead, with its looming "Mayan Apocalypse of Doom" in December.

But maybe before then you're looking to turn over a new leaf. Perhaps you've made a few "New Year's resolutions?" Let me ask the question though: How many times before have you made a resolution at New Year's? And how many of those of have actually stuck?

Chances are they haven't. New Year's resolutions are a waste of time. They don't work. This is because when you make one, you're relying on yourself, and your own willpower, to make the change within yourself. That's a little like asking a windmill to turn itself by blowing really hard. Real change can only come from an external - not internal - source. (Like the windmill needs the wind.)

And that's where Christ comes into the picture.

The Bible tells us that, "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

This is the only way to truly become something newer and better than what we were (why else would we want to change in the first place?) It is also the power of God that is great enough to work on our own fragile failings. What we cannot accomplish for ourselves, Christ gives us the ability to do.

That's pretty much the same message of the Gospel; that just as we cannot earn or provide for our our righteousness before God, so He made a way possible, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

So if you truly want to be made over, and if you truly want it to be permanent... don't rely on yourself, or silly resolutions. Trust in the redeeming and forgiving grace of God and ask Him to make you anew. That's a resolution that will not fail. Just ask me.

(These are messages/wishes for 2012 that were written onto confetti that was dropped onto the crowds at the celebrations in New York (I think). Have a careful look to see the message that I would have as well.)

Photo credits: Dan Kiltwood - Getty Images & Mary Altaffer - AP

[edit: Apologies. For some bizarre reason this post has been sitting in my Draft folder for 4 days, so it's now a little outdated. Not a good start to the year Blogger...]