January 2024
Every year I have this great intention. I buy the supplies, block the time on my calendar, read the stories of others who have done it successfully, and position myself to jump in with both feet. Then it happens… I sit there during my allotted time, quietly, and do nothing. Absolutely nothing. While I understand the idea of doing absolutely nothing sounds quite glorious to some (myself included), it doesn’t work so well when you’re determined to consistently journal. Yes, you heard right, I have frequently tried journaling only to fail within the first week. Every. Time.
New Year's Resolutions can do that to people, allowing them to continue the cycle of insanity - believing we can do the same thing over and over, while hoping for different results. It can be the goal of weight loss, choosing to read more or watch tv less, wanting to grow closer to a spouse or a friend, to adventure - whether it be camping, hiking, traveling, etc. - and while some people do follow through and find success in these goals, many do not. For me, I desire to journal. I want the words to flow onto the page with ease, declaring my innermost feelings, but the struggle is real. I have learned that some things we desire do not come easily, they take hard work and intentionality on our part.
It’s much like being a follower of Jesus. Whether we have been at it for a while, or we are brand-new in our faith, if we desire to walk closely with Him it requires us to be intentional. The other night I was watching one of the newest episodes of The Chosen, where it was depicting what we read in Mark chapter 6 - Jesus giving his disciples instructions to go out two-by-two to spread the Good News. The actors did a phenomenal job portraying what very possibly could have happened, as the disciples were in disbelief. Jesus was asking THEM to go out, and not to simply follow him and watch as HE did the work? Jesus knew then, as he tells us to this day, following Him takes effort. Maybe you’ve had the same thought as me when it comes to this word “effort.” I so badly wish the things I desired would just *poof * happen, that I could will them into existence with a simple thought … but they don’t. They take work. If I want to lose weight, I have to get active. If I desire to read more, I have to walk away from the TV (and my phone). If I want to grow closer to someone, I have to carve out my schedule to make them a priority. If I wish to adventure more, I have to set aside the finances and the time on my calendar. And if I want to follow Jesus, I have to make the sacrifices to do so as well.
Jesus shares a story in Matthew 19, where a man came up to him asking what he needed to do to receive eternal life. I would dare say he did not get the answer he had hoped for. Jesus responded by asking him “Why do you want to know what is considered ‘good enough’ to get into heaven?” This man knew he had followed all the commandments, but understood Jesus required more. His assumption was correct, but when he learned what that ‘more’ would cost him, he sadly walked away.
The young man was told to give away his wealth and follow Jesus, a cost we assume he wasn’t willing to pay. But what about us - is our cost simply giving up our wealth like it was for this man? Not exactly. The cost of following Jesus means giving up anything that distracts us, and anything we are willing to trust in more than God himself. This looks different for everyone. I could probably sit here and list hundreds of ways I think it should look like, but the reality is each of us have a unique relationship with God and I can’t define what it looks like for you. Each of us - you, me, your neighbor - have to look at our life and evaluate it. What is distracting you from walking daily with Jesus? Is it your friend group, the way you manage your time, or your addictions? What do you need to do to remove them? Are you like me, finding yourself willing to trust others - even monetary things - and what can you do to remedy it?
Let’s not start this year by setting ourselves up to fail with resolutions, but instead position ourselves to draw closer to Jesus. Jesus said in John 15 that when we produce fruit (which can only come from drawing close to him) we are TRUE disciples. May the year 2023 be when we make the effort, becoming true disciples of Jesus, who live boldly and courageously for the sake of the Gospel!