Written by Mike Alger
As we head into 2022, we think again about how this next year will transpire in our lives. Can we make it better than last? What would I purpose to do for a New Year’s resolution? Unfortunately, many of us will try to add another challenging obligation among so many that we already struggle to keep up with. In our own finite intellect, we assume we can work out the ways to improve our lives with the accomplishments that will impart satisfaction, wholeness, and self-worth to our souls. Yet, following this pattern year after year, we continue to find ourselves spinning faster on this hamster wheel of life, never obtaining all we hoped for. Is this really what God called us to? In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who weary and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable and My burden is light.” In this scripture, God is asking us to give up our own courses of action and, instead, allow Him to be the leader of our path, the decision-maker of our objectives and the teacher of right ways.
So, how do we relinquish control to God? We can start by exchanging our time for His time. Instead of choosing to busy ourselves by delving into personal interests, be it a hobby or digital social activity or mindless entertainment from movies and television, what if we sacrificed some of that “me” time to be quietly in God’s presence? We can choose to spend more time in prayer, reading God’s word and seeking his instruction. God desires to spend time with us in order to mold, shape and restore us. Proverbs 3:5-8, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Do no be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.” Paul wrote to the Ephesians in 1:17, he was praying… “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance of the saints, and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe.”
Sometimes, as with our resolutions, we innately know we need to change but use our busy time as a way to hide from the difficult prospect of submitting. We must be cautious that our own stubborn resistance does not become a necessary time for the Father to intervene. For we know that God can cause a slowdown in our lives to afford us time to reconnect with Him. A sudden infirmity may have us confined to a bed. A loss of a spouse or loved one may have us seeking answers. Finding ourselves without means to sustain usually turns us back to God. We remember the story of the prodigal son who squandered until he was destitute and, ultimately becoming empty, was compelled to reconnect with his father.
When we develop our own plans apart from God’s leading, our self-centered motivations are usually a way for us to ascribe our own self-worth. Climbing the corporate ladder or becoming the so-called “expert” on a topic helps us justify our shortcomings. We measure ourselves according to the world’s definitions of success and accomplishment. Yet, that sense of worth often seems short lived, and we are intent to set the next level of obligations. Welcome to the rat race! But God says our worth is not based upon what we do but who we are. Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we would walk in them.” Romans 8:37, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Clearly, God has a better plan for us that is based on who we are.
As you begin a New Year, I hope you resolve to slow down from the busy schedule, assign time to be with your Heavenly Father, allow Him to lead and direct you through all circumstances of life, find rest in your soul, and find the peace and joy we all hope for in an abundance unanticipated.