It's hard not to be excited about good and positive change. Whether it is a change in our situation, our habits, or character - no one can look at themselves and not see an area that needs improvement or drastic change.
But writing these resolutions for change is a lot easier than actually accomplishing them. However, I came across this article from Reformed Perspective.ca which gave me a whole new approach to resolutions and goal-setting.
"Do not but conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2
As biblical Christians, our approach to goals and resolutions should align with God's will and desires for us, if we are to live in obedience and love. This kind of commitment to change that we are striving for, therefore, will look different from worldly goals and aspirations. In fact, it can look like the complete opposite, because as Christians we strive for godliness.
This pursuit is the essence of sanctification, which is the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, to shape us, mold us, and conform us to Christ and for the purpose of doing good work.
The Mundane Christian Life
"There’s a way in which all our lives are shaped by the commitments we make. But biblical Christianity – which has the gospel of Jesus Christ at its heart – simply doesn’t rest its hope in big, dramatic moments of change. The fact of the matter is that the transforming work of grace is more of a mundane process than it is a series of a few dramatic events. Personal heart and life change is always a process." (Emphasis added)
The Christian life, when lived out biblically, rarely gets acclaimed, applauded or praised by the world. It is not a pursuit of fame, wealth and worldly success. It is humility. It is surrender, diligence, obedience, and growing in the knowledge and wisdom of our Lord. It is a slow, slow process. In fact, it's lifelong.
God works away at a person's heart, mind and character day by day. A person's heart is not changed because of one decisional moment. Apart from God, only those closest to you will see His transforming work of grace in your life as day by day you produce more and more fruit of the spirit.
Don't be deceived by new age philosophies, or "rock-star" speakers in the NAR/Word Faith movement, who constantly 'preach' that Christian success looks like sudden increase of wealth, or that God doesn't want you to live an ordinary life, because you should be as historically pivotal as King David. Or that the role of the church is to gain status, position and influence in the culture. Because otherwise we can completely miss out on the joy and significance of the small, every day grace that works in us.
10,000 Moments of Grace
It is very easy to make the center of our goals about bringing glory to ourselves rather than glory to God. But if we take away the distraction of big, dramatic goals, then we are left with the opportunity to witness God's transforming work of grace.
I introduce you to the concept of my 2020 project: 10,000 Moments of Grace
What am I talking about? Well, the challenge is to look at our goals for the year, not through the lens of a single grand gesture of proclaimed commitment, but rather through small, numerous, daily actions.
"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:9-14
Our impact, our legacy, our work for the kingdom will ultimately be determined by continual obedience and reliance on God's grace.
Whether you are single, a mother, a wife, student or retiree. Your seemingly mundane life is where God put you. It is where His grace will meet you to meet the challenges, joys and sorrows of day-to-day life. The change will be slow, but steady, and sure enough we will be more conformed to the image of Christ day by day.
How? Through 10,000 moments of personal examination and conviction. 10,000 moments of humble submission. 10,000 moments of foolishness exposed and wisdom gained. 10,000 moments of sin confessed and sin forsaken. 10,000 moments of courageous faith. 10,000 moments of obedience. 10,000 times of forsaking the kingdom of self and running toward the kingdom of God. 10,000 moments where we abandon worship of the creation and give ourselves to worship of the Creator.
The Project #10000momentsofgrace
So this year, I am setting out to keep track of my moments of grace as God continues his work in me. Every time the Holy Spirit reveals something new, every trial Christ carries me through, every blessing God bestows, every moment I fail, every moment I succeed. When in a frustrating moment I choose patience, when I choose love over fear, or forgiveness over hate. It's all because of grace.
There is no limit to what areas of life we need and find grace in, which is why I will be working with guest bloggers this year to share a particular area of life in which they wish to testify to their moments of grace that brought transformation to their lives.
On Instagram, I am creating a stories highlight to keep track of the people who send in their #10000momentsofgrace to encourage fellow believers and bring glory to God's goodness.
If you are reading this, I highly encourage you to join! I am very excited for this project, and I hope to see many people participate. Be sure to subscribe to not miss new blog posts, and follow along on Instagram if you want to see how God is working in the lives of ordinary people, in His providence and grace.
Have a blessed year, everyone! Feel free to comment down below, or ask questions! If you are a blogger and are interested in guest blogging and participating in the project, please get in touch on my Instagram or Facebook page!
