So it’s that time of year again when everyone starts making resolutions and it seems to me there’s something missing from most of them: God. Not to say that some resolutions aren’t about Him, but rather that almost none include Him. Everything is I will do this or I will do that.
The most common New Year’s resolution is of course to lose weight, which is a fine goal (I too could stand to be in a little better shape). But how many of us will include Jesus in that? Or seek His help to accomplish it? It’s as though we put up a partition between Jesus and certain parts of our lives. I myself am certainly guilty of this as well, and can’t quite explain why. Surely if the God of everything cares enough about me to die for me, He wants to be included in every aspect of my life. Not just at Mass or when I’m volunteering or saying the Rosary, but even when I’m going to the gym, or playing ice hockey or trying to keep my patience with family members.
And yet while it feels natural for me to include Him on the back end of things (i.e. to say thank you for another workout without injury), I tend to give Him the shaft on the front end. It takes discipline to get to the gym every day, and it’s something I tend to think that I do myself. But is that true? Do I really do anything by myself? Is He not the cause of every good thing done? Are not all virtues gifts from God? Am I so foolish as to think that even small victories over laziness are my own working? (Apparently, yes, lol).
Even when I want to acknowledge God, why does it sometimes feel strange to include Him in everything? Am I not supposed to do everything for His glory, whatever I happen to be doing? “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Still, even knowing this, it seems awkward to me to ask God to help me get to the gym, or for the Holy Spirit to help my will conquer my desire as I’m staring down the dessert table. But I suppose that shows just how long a journey of faith I still have ahead of me.
So here’s my prayer that whatever your New Year’s resolution is, be it trying to quit smoking or drinking, or to get out of debt or to spend more time with family (other popular resolutions) that you’ll open the door a crack and let Jesus in! He wants to help. I say we let Him! Happy New Year!
