2023 Inspirational

Intentional Evolution

My New 2023 Year’s Resolution

Every year, we set resolutions for things we invariably fail to see through. Most of these resolutions are self-aggrandizing. Sure, for some, it’s about taking on healthier habits; but, let’s be real here: Hitting the gym or losing weight is usually more about an aesthetic for others to see in us than real self-improvement. I’ve made similar resolutions myself, always with little success. Naturally, our dedication to these kinds of resolutions rarely lasts — at least, I‘ve never kept to those kinds of resolutions.

But, the resolutions I have adhered to — and continue to adhere to — are promises to myself to grow spiritually and emotionally, and to find new ways to express this in my creative endeavors, like my writing. For me, that begins with my Christ-centered faith. By “Christ-centered” I mean trying to live the way of Jesus as is recorded in His life and teachings, a life offering radical grace and love. I try to be kind because I believe every kindness is a reflection of God.

I believe this is the point of our existence… it’s our human purpose to make our little corners of the world that little bit better and kinder. Kindness in love and love is unfettered and inclusive. It’s what I mean by “intentional evolution,” — to grow spiritually and emotionally by doing our best to reflect the image of God, who is love, and to shed a light of hope into the world. I resolve to try, in my small and fallible human way, to be a reflection in this world of the image of God, who is love.

The Bible tells us, again and again, throughout, to welcome the stranger, work for justice for the marginalized, feed the hungry, befriend the friendless, be a voice for peace, and be good stewards of our world. Scripture, in 1 John, chapter 4, tells us that “God is love” and that to know love, is to know God — no qualifications… “God is love” and knowing love is knowing God.

The world is a hard, glaring place. It’s easy to look about and see only the tragedy… the despair…the black, ugly horror of humanity. Good news is seldom newsworthy. Our 24/7 news cycle world has the horror of a half-hour repeat. War and retribution on constant repeat have become our “bread and circuses.”

It would be so easy to join the raucous chorus sounding the dogmatic call to ever more horrific heights of horror in an answer to horror. Where will it ever end? I must, in honesty, admit, that, on occasion, I give in to that impulse. I read about or see a new travesty and think the terrible thoughts we’re always being told to think. But, that’s not what my Faith teaches me. That’s not what my study and understanding of Christ’s message teach me. As Christians, aren’t we supposed to be the Voice of Peace?

I try to begin each day remembering: His Grace was gifted to me from His Mercy and Love and through no effort nor deed of my own. Having received such a Holy and perfect Gift, who am I to forget or deny that the very same grace, mercy, and love is gifted to all souls everywhere?

I hope each day that I am a living example of His Grace and a true disciple of Christ, and that my choices remain founded in the Scriptures. More than that, I hope that I do not become so dogged in discipleship that I, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, lose sight of the intent of Christ’s message and gift. I try to be a living reflection of the image of God, who is love.

The lessons I try always to carry with me are from scriptures such as the following:

NIV I Corinthians 13:1 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not to love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but has not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

NIV John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

NIV Romans 12:17 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”

I don’t claim to always uphold these goals. I am, after all, only one all too fallible human. I do and will continue to try. I will continue to be unashamedly a Christ-centered Christian.

Denise is owner/admin of WE PAW Blogger on Facebook group and Medium publication of the same name.

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