Happy New Year! Hard to believe we are past the days of celebrating the birth of our savior and well into the days of self-contemplation. It seldom fails that each new year we are compelled to consider the previous year in great detail and determine adjustments as needed for the coming year.
New Year resolutions often focus on careers, family, health, and even our spiritual walk. We vow to improve, stop, or start various activities in hopes that the next year will yield better results based on our efforts. I recall numerous resolutions I have made over the years to lose weight, be a better wife, better house keeper, better mom, better friend, better follower of Christ, etc… Now I’m not saying I did not accomplish these tasks entirely, but suffice to say I spent more time agonizing over my failures than reveling in my success.
Why is it that at the start of each year we place such pressure on ourselves for improvement? Why not seek such resolve year round? Maybe because it is such a daunting task we can only handle this level of goal setting once a year. For me, the unfortunate result is that I expect my personal “course corrections” to take place instantaneously. I am quick to feel defeated when I have not achieved my resolutions by February or March.
This week I ran across a familiar scripture following my reading of the account of Jesus’ birth in the book of Luke. Although this verse is not new to me at all, it was as if I had never noticed it before. I pray you find the freedom and relief I felt as I read these words…
Luke 2:52—And Jesus INCREASED in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Yep, there it is…He “increased”. Jesus may have been without sin, but wisdom and self-improvement was not instantaneous…it was a process even for Him. I want to remember that this year. When I’m working on an aspect of my life, when Satan tries to discourage me, when it seems I’ll never meet my own expectations….I want to remember my life is a process and my God has His plans for me.
“For I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the Lord, Thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end….you shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:11-13
Tuesday With Teri 
LOVE this! What a revelation that we will ALWAYS need improving and not one of us is without needing to. Thank you so much for sharing!
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Your first sentence has been on my mind all day – “we are past the days of celebrating the birth of our savior and well into the days of self-contemplation.” I think it says a lot about us – and I know I’m a bit off topic here – we are so quick to focus our attention back on ourselves.
But back on topic – it is comforting to know that, like our Savior, we are permitted to “grow.” God is good!
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Oh my goodness! I laughed out loud when I read that! How awesome is THAT??????? And man, what a relief!
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What a great observation. Jesus, though sinless, wasn’t perfect…. yet! Wow, that sounds sooo heretical yet, He had to grow into perfection!
And that is all God requires of us; that we grow, allowing our Father to imbue us with the character of His Son; not perfect yet, but one day……
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