No New Years Resolutions!!!
Resolutions should start in the heart, not in the new year. Commitment to do something without understanding or desiring the benefits will not bring success.
Take exercise for example - yes, of course I need to exercise - everybody does. It is not only what you are getting away from - (being unfit) but what are you going to - (physical fitness). So in aiming to be physically fit, how fit do I want to be?? Do I want to be like Jack La Lanne the Godfather of fitness? (Not likely). Bench press 200 pounds? Be able to do twenty push ups for the Marines at the Portland Waterfront during Rose Festival and get a T-shirt from the USMC? (Yes, but not enough.) Exercise my transverse abdominis muscle to help prevent further aggravating my back? (You bet - I don't want my life to be held hostage to my back problems). But I don't need to be buff nor do I want to be able to run a marathon or the Hood to Coast. That is not where my heart is. I would want to see the tangible benefits before I commit myself to a regimen.
Now I know the cost of the commitment.
Luke 14: 25 - 33
"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters,yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."
We don't need to be "great" Christians, we need to be committed Christians.
Take exercise for example - yes, of course I need to exercise - everybody does. It is not only what you are getting away from - (being unfit) but what are you going to - (physical fitness). So in aiming to be physically fit, how fit do I want to be?? Do I want to be like Jack La Lanne the Godfather of fitness? (Not likely). Bench press 200 pounds? Be able to do twenty push ups for the Marines at the Portland Waterfront during Rose Festival and get a T-shirt from the USMC? (Yes, but not enough.) Exercise my transverse abdominis muscle to help prevent further aggravating my back? (You bet - I don't want my life to be held hostage to my back problems). But I don't need to be buff nor do I want to be able to run a marathon or the Hood to Coast. That is not where my heart is. I would want to see the tangible benefits before I commit myself to a regimen.
Now I know the cost of the commitment.
Luke 14: 25 - 33
"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters,yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."
We don't need to be "great" Christians, we need to be committed Christians.
posted by Glen at 12:50 PM
2 Comments:
Well, how 'bout a 5k?
Good point Glen, but wouldn't being a committed Christian make us "great Christians"? I think about the exercise analogy and look at many of the people at the gym. There is a sense of respect among most people, including the trainers. The philosophy is, "You're doing something and that is all that matters." It doesn't matter how much weight we lift or how fast or long we run/bike/swim. Everyone feels that they are at different levels. At times some will comment that you are getting stronger, better shape, or improving.
I find at times that we resent those who push us for spiritual progress. It seems that is why churches struggle to grow. So we quit pushing, setting goals, or trying to push past the pain.
I think someone said it best--or at least good enough to put it on the wall in the pool. "Before you can achieve anything you must expect it of yourself."
Just my opinion.
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