Rethinking Resolutions

A couple of weeks have passed since people all over the world watched the ball drop and raised their glasses to the dawn of a new year. Spurred on by the prospect of a fresh start, many have seized this opportunity to lay out goals for the coming year. By now, some of these resolutions have been abandoned. That’s the thing about resolutions. They almost always zero in on areas in which we struggle. In the words of the apostle Paul, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15 NIV)

Our resolutions—the things we want to do—reveal much about the things we value. And for most of us, the goals we set involve doing something—i.e., losing weight, changing bad habits, advancing our professional position, etc. Always striving, always grasping for more. We live in a world that esteems accomplishment and activity. Even in our leisure time, we often seek pleasure in noise, lights, excitement, or competition.

And we wonder why inner peace seems out of reach. Is it possible we have forgotten how to be silent?

The early church fathers valued spiritual disciplines like silence and solitude. In the New Testament, we see the example of Jesus Himself, who often went to a solitary place to commune with His Father—our Father. Yet today, many Christians have given little thought to the idea of Sabbath rest, let alone silence. It feels wrong somehow, setting aside a block of time when you plan to accomplish absolutely nothing (at least not in the tangible sense). Yet this is exactly what God calls us to do.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

In our stillness, as the haze of activity begins to lift, we are finally able to listen. We dwell on God’s goodness and faithfulness. We feel a new desire to pour our lives out to him in return. In time, we may even see a shift in the priorities that dictate our days.

And so this year, I challenge you to make a new resolution to do…nothing. Carve out periods of silence and stillness and write them on the calendar if necessary. Respond to the Lord’s invitation. He will meet you in the stillness.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Our Collect

Thank you dear God for this wonderful new day and all the gifts and blessings you are graciously bestowing upon us. Thank you for our lives and all you have provided to support them.

We pray that this day you will direct and guide us in the humble sublimation of our will to your service and, through prayer we can be at one with you. Help us to hear and understand your call, whatever it may be, and that your Holy Spirit within us (Indwelling) will give us the strength and courage to put your service above all temptation and worldly distractions.

We pray that this day we can see the world and all that is in it through the eyes and heart of Jesus Christ. That we will be kind, gentle, patient, loving, understanding, and forgiving, so that we may do for others what you would have us do for them.

As we walk in prayer throughout this day, may our lives be a window through which your light may shine. Please guide us in being helpful, compassionate, caring, polite, considerate and generous to those in need and to those who are troubled and suffering so that we may be a part of your earthly works (Praxis).

We love you with all our heart and all our soul. We pray to you, dear God, that we may love others as Christ loved us, and that we may strive for justice and peace and for the respect and dignity of every human being.

Lord, hear our prayer.