For When You Grow Weary of the World's Promise of a "New You"

Find Rest in God's Grace

I love the fresh start of new beginnings — whether it comes in the form of a new calendar year or the first day of a new school year. New beginnings are exciting. We usually walk into them with a list of all the things we hope will happen, which sometimes leads to the making of resolutions.

But this year, whenever someone has asked me what my resolutions are for this upcoming year, I have replied, “My only resolution is not to make any resolutions.”

I’m not against resolutions exactly, but they have a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” sort of feel to them.

I do think it’s wise to incorporate healthy habits and helpful spiritual disciplines into our daily routines. This is simply good stewardship. But at the end of the day, nay, even at the very beginning of the day, it’s also important to remember that “every good and perfect gift” is not a result of our own making. They are from the Father above (James 1:17).

Anything good in our lives is a gift of His grace.

Jesus said it best — of course He did! — when He said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And it’s with this thought that I move into the new year.

Apart from Jesus, I can do nothing.

It is Christ who creates and sustains all things, including you and me (Colossians 1:15-17).

So, I am choosing to enter 2024 with open hands, whatever may come, knowing that God is the One in control.

When it comes to resolutions, most of them are usually some sort of self-improvement program. Eat better. Move more. Yada yada yada. Yes, it is better to drink water instead of soda, so I will stick with drinking water. It is better to remain physically active rather than succumb to the sedentary ways of screen life, so I will continue to make this a priority.

And yet, while healthy habits are fine things to pursue, it is God who decides the number of our days (Psalm 139:16).

I know this is the opposite of what the world says. Especially on the first day of a new year, the world is full of advice and recommendations on how to improve our lives. The promise of a “new you” is ever before us — along with the illusion of personal control.

But by February most folks are back to their old ways, perhaps even a little discouraged. And it is to the February soul I wish to speak: There is grace for you and me. Because the beauty of the gospel is not that we can create “a better version of ourselves,” but that God can make us into new creations, from the inside out (Ephesians 2:3-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17).

This is why Jesus said,

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

When we grow tired of the constant push for self-improvement…

When we become weary of the ever-present pull to be a better version of ourselves…

When we come to the end of ourselves and realize that we just don’t have it within us…

…God’s grace is sufficient. He can do what we cannot.

Thankfully, even as the world focuses on outward improvements, God looks at our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). And that is what matters most.

Shalom.

---

Thank you for choosing to receive my writings about faith and family and the quiet life. I offer this newsletter for free — and hope you’ll consider supporting my writing in other ways.

» Share this newsletter with friends and other potential readers.

» Order a copy of my book Sanctuary: Cultivating a Quiet Heart in a Noisy and Demanding World.