Resolving to relationship

By Leszek Kobusinski, via Shutterstock.

             The first week of January is always a fun time on social media - as so many people publicly declare their resolutions, and then... well. Then the memes begin; the person drinking a green smoothie on Jan 1 and a bottle of wine on Jan 5, for example!

            The challenge with resolutions is that we seem to only make them once a year - I'd guess often done in a hurry on the 31st when we're asked! And of course, in that setting, we want to offer something great-sounding, no matter how realistic it might be. "I'm going to run a marathon!" is not necessarily practical for someone who has never run before, or "I'll read a book every week!" is lofty for someone who hasn't read a book in the previous year.

            Gym memberships are bought in this first week, and often abandoned by the end of the month; dry January can be derailed at the first dinner party, and one cookie turns to two, and... the resolve from the party seems to fade as fast as the glitter. With one 'ooops' moment, that's it for the year. Sorry, running shoes, we'll see you again next January; that library card can return to the back of the wallet.

            How good, then, to remember that those 'ooops' moments in our spiritual journey do not indicate the end, or a failure; in fact, those are the moments of growth. When we can return to our spiritual disciplines, and re-focus on our relationship with God *despite* what's been going on in our lives.

            I know few people who have had a journey with Jesus that is entirely smooth and easy; they share tales of spiritual mountains and valleys, times of prayer dry spells and abundance, episodes where they *knew* God was with them and times when they felt alone.

            The important thing, in my opinion, is that these folks did not give up. They recognised that life is full of good spiritual days and challenging ones; and they always returned. They came back to God, who was always waiting for them, eager to renew and strengthen the relationship.

            Our resolutions don't care if we stick to them or not; but Jesus cares about our ongoing relationship. Still looking for a resolution, or looking for a new one? I invite you to work on your relationship with God; to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3.18) - and with that to have a happy, holy, and blessed 2019!