I set myself up for failure in yesterday’s post on the consequences of breaking resolutions, but here are my 2006 resolutions in review anyway.
Of course if you read the resolutions carefully you’ll note that at least three of the four are comparative, using words like “better” or “less.” That means as long as the direction of the slide was right there was moderate success even if the span of the slide was minimal. And each of the four were at least somewhat subjective since there is nothing like “lose 10 pounds” or “read my Bible 30 times,” leaving a bit of built-in latitude for my review.
On January 4, 2006, I made the following resolutions.
- Learn to enjoy the process better.
My ETP-fu was strong this year. Though much of the Internet is concerned with the GTD acronym, those of us working through Ecclesiastes have been confronted with the idea of ETP: enjoying the process, finding joy in toil whatever that toil is or however little the paycheck is for it. In his desperate search for satisfaction Solomon clearly affirmed that ETP is the superlative joy under the sun.
On one hand making a resolution to ETP is counter-intuitive since one can ETP only if God enables it. It is a gift of God and cannot be acquired by better time management, personal planning, or financial investment. But as we depend on God and submit to His sovereignty we can place ourselves in the pest position to receive the gift of joy in toil.
I certainly have learned much about GTD and ETP this year and in that sense I have kept resolution #1. Yet there is still much to do and much process remaining to enjoy. I suppose as long as I have sin there will be the tendency to resist His “lot” for me which takes me out of the joy-getting path. But the fight of faith itself is a joy-filled process and I pray I might keep using the God-given can-opener this next year.
- Be less self-centered.
Closely connected with the previous is my second resolution. And on the sliding scale there was undoubtedly movement away from self and toward Christ, but I am still far from the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. As I consider some areas for repentance and resolution in 2007 this will be at least included implicitly toward the goal of killing my self-love.
- Be less banal in my thoughts, conversations and pursuits.
2006 was the year of banality for me, but for the good as I mostly avoided it. There was some terrific ground gained here by God’s grace. As the word bounded around my brain like a $.25 rubber ball it constantly caused me to consider better things, especially in the majority of my blogging and my conversations. Again there are opportunities for refinement and I think I’ve narrowed in on some of those for my new resolutions.
- Be disciplined to feed my soul with otherworldly beauty.
This is perhaps the most objective and measurable of my resolutions since I sketched four particular parts of application. It was a roller-coaster, with the attendant highs and lows, twists and turns, uphills and downhills. I did get up earlier…sometimes, and when I did it was great. I watched much less TV: good. But I probably spent more time on the Internet: bad, and a prime target for ‘07. Finally, I gave up on my Bible intake scheme after only two months, never to recover fully. That is very bad.
So without assigning a specific letter grade I do think I passed. I haven’t learned to distrust my resolve nor do I think my reputation is ruined. I am, however, humbled that my reverence is not as faithful and fearful as He deserves.
This review has been personally constructive to root out even more reasons to repent while clarifying areas to direct new resolves. I do thank God for His patience and for providing patience and love to those who live and work with me. If I am more like His Son now than I was a year ago it is entirely due to His sovereign grace and I am looking forward to even more joy in the good toil of following Jesus.
Sean, thanks for sharing and for placing yourself in a position where others can see your failures and the grace of God in your progress.
It is good to see your human too.
And the other option would be…?
I thought we’d already covered this… ;)
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