Have you kept and/or maintained New Year Resolution(s)? I would guess that many of us would answer no. You see, we do not start them at the right time. January to March tend to be cold, wet, and miserable. So, leaving your warm and cosy home to run or walk is not inviting, and giving up your favourite comfort foods are non-starters. It is hard to change our habits and introduce new routines, and doubly so when it is cold wet and miserable. So, I make changes on 1st April. The weather tends to be both dryer and warmer, and Spring brings new life. The smell of blossom on the trees, the sight of violets on the ground, and animals emerging from hibernation makes me want to start something new.
Spring just brings me alive. I have suffered during Lent deprivation, reflected on the death of Jesus, and celebrated his resurrection. I feel, as the phrase goes, ready to go. One phrase which brought this home was Christ’s final words on the cross. As John writes,
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
John 19:30 (NIV)
“It is finished.” The phrase translated from Greek, “τετέλεσται” (tetelestai) … which comes from the Greek root word of “telew”, meaning to bring to an end, finish, or complete” (Voxchurch). So, our Lord’s work to fulfil each of the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, prophesies. The old practices were swept away, and Jesus was at the point of dying for our sins. And it is that completion and transition moment which also spurs me on to change my ways by stopping activities and replacing them with new habits. I say habits because I want to build new routines which I complete on a daily or weekly basis. They become part of my new life. A life that brings me and others closer to God. Let us remember, God sent his Holy Spirit to help us, so we will not complete this journey alone.
As you can imagine, change is rarely a smooth transition. I will suffer false starts, changes in course direction, and blind alleys but I will complete my transition. As Paul guides us in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
Do you have unfulfilled New Year Resolutions? Has Easter, with all its messages, encouraged you to stop doing something or encouraged you to take on something new? Are you ready to press on? Only you, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, can answer those questions.
Prayer
Father, thank you so much for your son’s sacrifice for our sins and his subsequent victory over death. We also thank you for your Holy Spirt who is here to support. Please show me if I need to change and help me do so. Amen
Michael Rolton
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