Worldly Holiness

Left Behind, originally uploaded by papalars.

Entering a new year makes most of us reflective and primed for action on New Year’s resolutions. “I gotta lose that weight piled on since the summer,” or “I gotta have better control of my tongue.” Blah, blah, blah. Personal resolve to go forward in something can be very positive. Exerting new energy on a goal can be a sign that we are not finished growing. The couch potato alternative is not a good sight.

I’m curious. Why do most of us start well, but end up in March in the same condition with little difference from our experience back in November? That is a bit of a million dollar question. If I had the surefire answer, I’d probably be very wealthy, having published a top selling self-help book and vacationing in Cancun right now instead of writing this post from the basement in gray Seattle.

Let me venture some thoughts. I think the answer has two parts really, one dealing with our past, the other with our future and it essentially boils down to our vision in both directions. I think sometimes we reach for a changed future but we forget to leave certain things that we drag along with us from our past. Our culture seems to be good at that. We want change but forget “from what” and just focus on the “to that.” This deals with our proclivity to take shortcuts or forget the need for internal heart change in our own lives. How can I be kinder or more faith filled, for instance, if I hold on to my right to be pissed off all the time or nurse a pessimistic outlook about the future?

Hey, I’m not talking about a balanced perspective which freely and confidently looks at the tough stuff of reality in the face. Nor am I saying it is wrong to be angry. The question is more how long do we hold on to those feelings and perspectives. What do we do with them? Do they have a permanent hold on our attitudes? Do we allow the burden of anger or a dark outlook on life to hold us captive?

I must confess something at this point. I don’t like saccharin devotionals and I avoid the self-help sections in bookstores like the plague. So I hope this post is not turning in to either of those.

When I think of change in my life, little victories in the past and hoped for scenarios in the future, I keep bumping into Christ who continues to meet me in my condition. When I’m stuck, he unsticks me. When I despair over slow growth in my own life, he gives me hope and energy to take the next step. When I wonder if we will be able to buy a house this year, I rest in his guiding hand. When I hope for peace and reconciliation in a troubled world, I remember that the gospel story is the root of positive outcomes in places and situations where that has occurred. Even Gandhi used the teaching of Christ to bring waring factions together and successfully throw off an oppressive regime. Think about it. The non-violent strategy was first taught and modeled by Christ. When the story of Jesus is really understood and embraced, real change happens!

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart…