What are your New Year’s resolutions? Would you like to lose some weight? Perhaps you are hoping to break a bad habit. How about eating healthier or getting more exercise?
Many people commit to making a change for the better with the ringing in of the new year, yet studies confirm that most resolutions are crushed within just a few weeks.
The news of late is that 2022 will likely be a continuation of the past two years. I trust you also find this news is less than encouraging.
British statesman Winston Churchill wrote: “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Perhaps we have lessons yet to be learned from the past two years.
The greatest source of history is the Bible. As a whole its literary style includes the law, history, wisdom literature, poetry, gospel (good news), epistles (instruction), prophecy and apocalyptic writing.
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Paul, who authored a number of the epistles, declared: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (I Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)
Rather than interpreting the Bible through the lens of culture, perhaps we should return to the source (the Bible) and interpret culture and the unfolding events of daily live in light of God’s perspective.
The greatest joy in life is not found by becoming your best - but rather when we live out our purpose.
Paul framed it like this: “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15 NLT)
We can’t fully know what 2022 will hold but we can know the One who holds tomorrow.
Tim Walker is the pastor at New Life Community Church in Pine River.
