New Year - Same Goals

 Each new year, many people strive to set new goals for the year.  Some want to exercise, some want to lose weight, some want to eat better, some want to read their Bible more, some want to go to church more often.  And it would seem that for many, each year that passes is a reminder that they did not do the things that they wanted to do.  

I also find it interesting that in our categories of things we want to do better we often put spiritual things like reading our Bible more and praying more, and maybe memorizing some Scripture.  After all - the goals for our life - as given to us by God anyway, have not changed in the last 2000 years.  We have all of these goals recorded for us in Scripture - and since the Bible does not change, neither have these goals.  

And so since there is nothing new in the goals, and there seems to be no consistency in our setting and keeping goals, what is the problem?

May I suggest that the problem is one of authority.  Allow me to explain.  When we make goals for ourselves, we are the authority.  I get to set the goal and the tone for my life.  So when I fail to meet one of my goals, I am alone to blame.  But when this happens I still am the authority, and so next year I will make new goals for me that I am unlikely to keep, but I will feel good that I made them. This is a little tricky because the Scriptures tell me that on my own I can accomplish nothing good.  So to make actual progress in the Christian life, I have to stop trying so hard and instead trust that God will accomplish His work as I obey. 

This means that the singular goal we should all have it to slay our selfish desire for authority and instead submit to the authority of God.  Ironically, this submission will likely accomplish the goals we would have set for ourselves to begin with, but through submission the change will be more permanent and more perfect because it will be God doing the work and not me.  This is however a BIG ask.  I have to be willing to cease to be my own authority and to surrender willingly to my Maker.  I have to be willing to die each day to self and serve a Savior.  I have to be willing to give up my authority to pay homage to a Holy God and trust that He will work in and through me by the very means of my surrender.  This year may we surrender to God.  To God be the glory.