Resolution Reprise?

One month ago I thought I had the perfect New Year’s resolution. It was airtight and couldn’t be broken. Here it is, “I resolve to not make any New Year’s resolutions this year.” However, it wasn’t as airtight as I thought it was because in making the resolution I broke it. So how about you? Have you managed to keep any of the New Year’s resolutions that you made?

Well, Lent arrives at the end of this month so maybe you can have a second chance with your personal Lenten Rule. Sadly some people observe Lent as though it is a rehash of worn out resolutions made a month earlier. Lenten rules or disciplines are intended to be much more than mere resolutions. A resolution, in the context of New Year’s, is a firm decision to do something. A Lenten discipline takes a few more steps in that it is a thought out effort to direct or change behavior or to learn and/or train oneself towards being the person God called and created you to be. No doubt resolve is a part of a Lenten discipline but just one part.

As Lent approaches we have the time to begin to consider what behaviors we would like to change in ourselves. Then we fashion rules to help us meet the challenge of changing. As Lent approaches we have the time to begin to consider what we need to learn to improve ourselves spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Then we fashion a discipline to help us attain those goals. As you can see this probably means a bit more than simply giving up beer or chocolate for Lent just to prove you can do it.

Here are some suggestions. If you want to give up chocolate then why not consider a review of your nutrition habits and see what really needs to be amended then plan meals accordingly. If you want to give up beer then take a serious inventory of your alcohol consumption and adjust your intake to a healthier level. If you want to develop your spirituality then do a review of your daily calendar and schedule in time for reading, meditation, and/or prayer as an item that is just as faithfully observed as picking up the kids after school or catching the early morning train. The point of Lenten discipline is to extend your healthy changes beyond 40 days to the rest of your life.

In our Christian tradition we have set aside 40 days to do a serious inventory of our heart, mind, soul, and body to determine what’s amiss and set it right. In this grace filled period we have the opportunity to develop a program for moving towards the person God created you and me to be. So what will it be for you — a rehashing of old resolutions? Is that what you really want – leftovers? Or a whole new way of being?

Joel t