I’m sure by now you’re all sick of hearing about New Year’s resolutions, and “New year, new you!” I completely understand; I’m fed up with hearing people simply talk about the changes they’re planning to instill. I want to see action that drives change. Don’t just talk about losing weight; develop a meal and exercise plan to accomplish that goal. Instead of hoping broken relationships will magically mend, take a step outside your comfort zone and initiate the first move. There is no shame to be found in setting a goal; the new year is a great time to do that. However, when our talk outweighs our actions, we find ourselves wondering why we can’t simply reach our goal. Here’s a thought: have you worked for it as much as you’ve talked about it?
With that in mind, I thought I’d take a moment and share my New Year’s Revolution with you. Yes, you read that right; revolution. I chose the word “revolution” because simply resolving this bad habit of mine isn’t enough. My heart and my mind need a full fledged revolution for Christ, and it’s definitely going to be a battle.
Merriam Webster defines revolution as “a sudden, radical, or complete change; a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something: a change of paradigm,” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revolution). I so desperately need a radical and complete change in the way I think about God, His kingdom, and myself. You see, I’ve spent the last several months practically running away from Him (by omission). I hardly ever read my Bible or spent quiet time with Him. I hadn’t had an honest, daily prayer life since high school. I went through the motions of attending chapel three times a week and played the part of the Christian young woman I was supposed to be, but I was entirely lost on the inside. God had become a second thought in my life, replaced by my own desires and worries. It reached the point where I was drowning in regret and shame over my former way of life, but didn’t know where to turn. How could I look to God after I’d betrayed Him time and time again?
Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. I’ve realized something so wonderful about our Lord: no matter how many times you run from Him, his arms are always open wide. The first night I truly dug into His word and spent time studying His very character, I fell in tears at His feet. By reading Revelation, I’ve gained a better perspective at just how great and awesome and majestic God is. To read verses like this,
“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’”
and to know that He still thinks of me simply fills me with awe. The idea that even the heavenly creatures, made solely for heaven, fall down on their faces in praise just blows my mind. I can’t even imagine what listening to 100,000,000 angels (yes, I did the math) singing holy praises to the Lord must sound like. What a sweet celebration of the Most High.
The words shared in Revelation have begun to change my perspective on God. Who am I but a lowly servant of God, and yet He still sent His son to the cross for me. I’m growing in my love and awe for Him, and I’m learning to think of myself less. This is my New Year’s Revolution. I’d like to challenge you to stage your own revolution. What change does your heart need? Figure it out, and get working.
