Many of us are likely familiar with the southern tradition of preparing black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. This practice is believed to bring good luck for the year ahead. A more familiar tradition for most is the creation of resolutions to signify a commitment to change something in our daily routine or, in other instances, to add a practice that will lead to better health or an improved way of life.
Exercise.com notes that the busiest month of the year for new gym memberships and exercise is January. They believe the spike is due to all the New Year’s resolutions made the week before.
I am not a big fan of making resolutions because of my lack of commitment or determination in past efforts. In a recent sermon, I fessed up and told the congregation that I would not be making any resolutions this week. Bottom line, it’s my track record (from past years’ failures) that’s a bigger deterrent than anything else.
ut if you are so inclined, that’s awesome!
January 1 gives each of us a new start.
But this day also has a way of marking time.
Many of us know where we’ve spent our past New Year’s eves and the highlights of those celebrations. We remember those significant others, many times family and friends, that ring in the New Year with us.
As important as it is to set goals and even dream about the year ahead, this practice also allows us to reflect on both the highlights and maybe the toughest hurdles encountered over the past 12 or even 24 months. Taking inventory of our blessings and even our trials can be a helpful way to navigate our way forward.
I was reading the Christmas story (Birth of Jesus in Jerusalem) this past week in Gospel of St. Luke.
In the text, we see the shepherds who were “keeping watch” over their sheep in the fields. Upon the birth of Christ, an angel appeared to the shepherds and said, “Do not be afraid. I bring good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-20)
Most of us are familiar with the story and what happened in Bethlehem. We know the shepherds made a beeline to the stable where the little Lord Jesus lay in a manger. Those shepherds became the first to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
About 40 days later, the Holy Family (Joseph, Mary, and the Lord Jesus) went to the temple in Jerusalem for the Presentation of the Lord. There are two characters described in Luke 2:25-38, named Simeon (which means ‘hearer’ or ‘listener’) and Anna. Both of these committed and determined people spent their lives waiting for what was promised and the most important event they would both ever experience – the meeting with their Lord.
The story of Simeon is most important when we think about “life’s resolutions” versus living out the Lord’s calling for one’s life. Well, that’s deep! It is.
But neither Simeon, nor Anna, knew the day or hour the Lord would appear, but the text says, “He (Simeon), who was righteous and devout. He was waiting on the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (Luke 2:25) Then the text says something amazing, “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (verse 26)
What a great gift to know that the most important encounter one could ever have was a sure thing! The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would actually (with his own eyes) see the Lord Jesus.
This wonderful story shows us that a faithful believer was committed (mind, soul, and body) to waiting on the Lord. The Bible tells us (verse 27) that Simeon went into the temple, moved by the Spirit on that appointed day. Simeon saw the child (with his own eyes), and he took the child in his arms and said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation…” (Luke 2:29)
When we think about priorities or what is most important in our lives today, is it possible that we may be short-sighted and not long-term focused like Simeon? I find that preparing for a sermon, working on various projects, or even writing a story for Mid Bay News can be quite consuming and capture my complete attention. I can also easily reflect on disappointment or the most significant milestones achieved during the years, and quickly lose sight of what is most important – eternity. If someone were to ask you what is most important to you or your family…what would your answer be?
Setting a vision for where you want your life trajectory to be is noble. Making a difference in this world is very necessary, but Simeon (a very insignificant character in the pages of the Bible) gives us the greatest direction for the New Year and the remainder of our lives. Jesus tells us in John 14:2, “I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me – that you also may be where I am.” (emphasis added)
Jesus is coming again. He has made a way through his death on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” This call from the Lord is not a resolution, but instead a call that assures us that he “is the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus.” (John 14:6)
Our lives are marked by years – years that fly by. We tend to watch the Big Ball drop in Times Square year after year, but in time, we will all look beyond temporal resolutions and events to eternity. Is it possible that “knowing” Jesus and the sacrifice he made for each of us could be a primary goal for a promising New Year? This new year, let’s make a long-term commitment – an eternal investment in knowing Christ.
In addition to being a Mid Bay News reporter, Steven Saul is a retired priest with The Anglican Church in North America.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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