Did you make a New Year's Resolution? How are you doing on it two weeks in?
If we take a look at the nation's most popular resolutions (exercise more, lose weight, eat more healthy, etc.) we see they are centered on the external selves others can readily identify. These are not evil ambitions, and personal health is absolutely something we should strive for, but notice what is not present: greater inner peace. We may be able to manufacture a charade that we have it all together but inside we know we are messy. What if this year we focused on the inside vice the outside and sought to purify our polluted lives?
James Chapter 4 captures this point well and the passage seems on the nose especially considering it is millennia old. Suffice it to say, human nature may not be as progressive as we all hope:
“...Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”
'Dabbling in sin.' Isn't that the truth? We negate our imperfections because we see them as minor when we compare them to something like murder. The East Coast experienced a winter storm this past week that blanketed everything with snow. It was beautiful to look out and see the untouched snow. But eventually someone walks through it and footprints are left. While not grotesque, the footprints have erased the purity of that area of snow. You also find the random guy in the 4x4 doing donuts who tears all the snow up down to the mud. Either way the beauty and wholeness of the snow is compromised and cannot be recovered by itself, no matter the effort put forth by the snow.
Our lives are the same way. Whether marred by footprints or donuts, our lives fail to typify the purity they once were. I don't think of myself as wholly beholden to this sin, but I can't seem to stop sticking my toes in the water. And the point that James is making is that we aren't going to overcome this by sheer willpower. At some point we need to submit, admit our failures, and seek His power to be made pure once more. To ask the director of the weather for another snowfall to cleanse our impurities.
This year I challenge you to make your resolution to restore your inner self. To seek and find the redemption that will provide you with ultimate peace. It won't help you look any better in a swim suit, but I'd imagine you'll sleep better at night and be a better person to be near.
Have a great weekend and be sure to share with a friend.
-the contrary disciple