How are you doing on your new year’s resolutions? Have you been to the gym or gone running every day? Stopped drinking soda/beer/wine or eating fried foods? Saved money and only spent it responsibly? Supposedly 80% of all new year’s resolutions are abandoned by the second week of February. Psychologists have identified lots of reasons for that, but I think the most important is that we try and achieve our resolutions all on our own. It’s hard to make important changes in your life without the love and support of others.
I’ve been thinking about new year’s resolutions in the context of our theme for this school year “You are not alone…you’re connected!” based on John 16:32b-33. At St. Luke’s this year we have a monthly workout wellness Wednesday where we gather as a staff to exercise in a team building environment. While I don’t relish people seeing me in my gym shorts, I’ve really enjoyed sweating together with my colleagues in a friendly, supportive environment. Any resolution we make is more likely to succeed with the encouragement, accountability, and support of our brothers and sisters in Christ. As Proverbs 17:17 teaches us “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Whatever you want to accomplish in 2019 you don’t have to do it alone – through Christ you are connected!