So this is the new year and I have no resolutions. At least not yet. One of my favorite quotes is attributed to Socrates. In it he says: “An unexamined life is unworthy living.” I have found that before I’m ready to make any resolutions it’s absolutely crucial that I take an honest and evaluative look back over the past year(s) to do a gospel informed examination of how I’m livin’. Because I can’t force anyone to do this kind of introspection, I’ll just VERY STRONGLY RECOMMEND IT (that’s right in all caps) you spend some time with God and some other friends asking the following:
1. What are the relationships that I can look back on that God used to to influence / grow me this year? How have they driven me to realize my need for Christ?
2. How has my understanding / appreciation of the gospel deepened over the last year.
3. Where did I come face to face with brokenness this year? How did I / Did I confront it with the gospel?
4. Do I sense the gospel compelling me to act in new ways this coming year?
Then, if you are into them- make some resolutions that are seasoned with “gospel intentionality.” What are some of your thoughts?? Any other good questions you are thinking about as you examine your life?
January 2, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Great post. I am not a part of the church but have been reading from across the country. A question I’ve been thinking about is: how will this year be stewarded to demonstrate his glory? How can I line my life up to better show hime off? I’m seriously contemplating job, living, and recreation changes to find places to serve. How are you guys evaluating those things?
January 4, 2009 at 12:27 am
I’ll answer #3, and Stacy’s question.
First #3, A year is a long time to reflect on, that’s nearly 5% of my life so far. My memory starts to groan in pain if i try and stretch it much past last week, so reflecting on an entire year feels a little like doing the splits in tight leather pants. Luckily I don’t have to look very far in order to find “brokenness.” I spend some time regularly thinking about the motivations of my daily actions, (super nerdy and strange i know) because i want to make sure i am not simply passing through time and filling up space. And often in this state of placid reverie i am haunted by this resonant requiem that billows throughout the chambers of my innermost sanctuary. The tragic chanting reverberates off the walls of my heart and intoxicates my soul with a somber conviction. Its not til i become drunk in reflection that i become sober of my own brokenness. The longer i stare at my own reflection the more clearly i can see my own gray and drab countenance. Over this past year i have become most stingingly aware of the “deadliness” that is apart of me still.
Ok thats ACT 2 of the story, kinda sad and dismal, but the good news, the gospel news, the life changing, make you do the splits in tight leather pants news, the brokenness confronting gospel news, I have found daily living in community will all the people i would have listed if i was to answer number 1. The news of grace and love and redemption that has manifested itself into God glorifying, gospel centered, missional relationships.
Now to answer stacy’s question.
“How are guys evaluating those things? (Job, living, recreation)”
I think its a good question, definitely something to consider, it gets right at the “verbs” of life. However when i try and think of these things (Job, living, recreation) as separate parts of my life to manipulate and reorient as a way of “showing him off” my vision becomes somewhat skewed. These different parts bleed into each other and become inextricable. I feel that if i am guided by a central and solitary focus (glorifying God) that my job and living(not totally positive what all that entails) and my recreation choices should indubitably reflect the mission of my life.