Pastor's Ponderings
In 1738, the literary giant Samuel Johnson wrote in his diary, “Oh Lord, enable me to redeem the time which I have spent in sloth.” Nineteen years later, he wrote, “Oh mighty God, enable me to shake off sloth and redeem the time misspent in idleness and sin by diligent application of the days yet remaining.” He wrote some variation of this prayer every year after that. Finally, in 1775, 37 years after his first resolution, he wrote, “When I look back upon resolution of improvement and amendments which have, year after year, been make and broken, why do I yet try and resolve again? I try because reformation is necessary and despair is criminal.”
Johnson is describing human life. We start every year thinking, This is the Year! We resolve to turn over a new leaf --- and this time we are serious. We promise ourselves we’re going to quit bad habits and start good ones. We’re going to get in shape, eat better, waste less time, be more content, be more disciplined, and so forth. We’re go-ing to be better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, etc. And then, twelve months lat-er, we’ve fallen short…….again.
The gospel is the Good News announcing Jesus’ infallible devotion to us in spite of our inconsistent devotion to Him. As this New Year gets underway, take comfort in knowing that we are weak and He is strong---that even as our love for Jesus falls short, Jesus’ love for us never will.
Blessed New Year to you!
+PD