This sermon is eternal. Why does the pastor have so many bullet points today?
I stared at the adorable baby in front of me, the handsome guy on the other side of the church, and the elderly couple beside me. Anything and everything invited me to become distracted. I actually welcomed those distractions because I didn’t want to hear the next sentence out of the pastor’s mouth: “So how can we apply this message to our lives today?”
Ugh, I don’t want to hear any application steps or practical tips. I just want to hear interesting stories, facts, and verses.
However, without more warning, the pastor began a list of five ways that we could put his message into practice. I wrote them all down, acting like I would (of course) implement them in my own life. But I knew that I wouldn’t. In fact, I’d probably never even look at them again.
Attempting to Fail?
Honestly, I don’t just fail miserably at putting Sunday sermons into practice; I do this throughout the week with other things as well. I read blog posts, magazine articles, and Bible verses that are amazingly convicting and practical. But seconds later, I forget what I read and don’t even try to remember.
There are so many things that I need to do that I’m not doing. I need to do more, try harder, be better…but I’m not. That’s why I hate New Year’s resolutions.
If I set New Year’s resolutions for 2019, I’ll set myself up to fail. I can’t and won’t live up to my standards—or even God’s standards. It’s overwhelming to me. As soon as I look away from my list of resolutions—or maybe even while I’m still writing them—I’ll fail.
It’s not that I don’t feel convicted. I do—a lot. My problem is that I feel so convicted but so unmotivated. Instead of being kind and compassionate, I’m envious and dishonest. Rather than evangelizing or giving to the poor, I hide inside my comfort bubble. I’m a self-centered, prideful, and hypocritical idol worshipper. I chase my dreams—not His. I build my kingdom—not His. I look for my glory—not His.
How can I ever meet my New Year’s resolutions to do more, try harder, and be better?
The truth is that I can’t. I will never be enough. There isn’t even an ounce of enough-ness in my whole body. But God knows that.
He’s Not Surprised
God knows your past, present, and future failures. He recognizes that you won’t meet your New Year’s resolutions. He understands that you won’t follow the bullet points from sermons, tips from articles, or even His words in Scripture. He knows. He recognizes. He understands.
But He loves. You. Anyway.
O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. (Psalm 69:5, 16 ESV)
Our sinfulness is impossible to measure, but Jesus doesn’t need to measure it because He paid for all of it with His life.
I’m not saying it’s a good idea to sleep during sermons, stop reading Christian articles, or distract yourself when you read your Bible. I am saying that implementing everything you hear or read is impossible. You can’t make yourself a good person by following your New Year’s resolutions, your sermon notes, or your convictions Jesus makes you a good person.
The Best New Year’s Resolution
Let’s stop throwing ourselves a pity party about everything that we’re doing wrong and start celebrating the One who did everything right. Of course, we need to confess our sins and repent from them. Of course, we need to be reading the Word, attending church, and heeding godly advice. Of course, we should seek the Lord in 2019.
But even if we don’t follow any of our New Year’s resolutions in 2019, we’re still loved by God. His love toward us isn’t based on how “good” we are because we have no goodness in us (Romans 3:10-18). Rather, His love is based on His goodness.
I realize that this post has no step-by-step guidelines or tips for the upcoming year. I simply want to say that the best New Year’s resolution that we can make is to remember how sinful we are and how gracious God is. Let that fact resonate in your heart this year.
Have a happy New Year!
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