12/28/23

The children’s catechism called, “Belonging to God,” asks, “How do you thank God for this gift of love?”

Answer: “I promise to love and trust God with all my heart.”
Q: “How do you love God?”
A: “By worshipping God, by loving others, and by respecting what God has created.”

If you are now striving toward a new year’s resolution, perhaps this line of thinking is more than adequate. And a better choice than, “Lose 10 pounds by Valentine’s Day.”

It doesn’t exclude healthy lifestyle changes. Respecting the divine creation that is you is important. It does include a commitment to gathering in a community for praising the Creator. It does mean working to grow the ways in which you do love for others, toward others, in tangible expressions of your love for God. And respecting what God has created—so many options!

Water conservation, less plastic, more intentionally diverse friendships, nature walks, new ways of speaking to spouses or children, or co-workers, adopting a fur-baby, minimizing car-trips to the store….

What part of the created world, people, things or places, are dear to you? How might you in 2024 give praise to God for this, show your love of God by loving it more intentionally, and grow spiritually in your respect for this aspect of creation?

Let it be resolved—for one month. Yes, it’s okay to make a very short-term, time-limited, relevant, achievable, measurable, specific commitment. Yes, this is a SMART resolution. You got this!

Pick up your STAR WORDS in worship on Sunday! Find a guiding light for the coming year.