Happy New Year

Here we are on the cusp of celebrating another New Year.  In reality, the only thing that is truly new is the digit at the end of the calendar number.  Wouldn’t it be great if, at the toll of midnight, our goals and resolutions for the upcoming year came into reality? Or, at least the needed adjustments in our routines (start heading to the gym, etc.) were wondrously present?  No longer would the siren song of a warm duvet prevent us from a half hour of Pilates. Wouldn’t that be nice.

Unless we are very intentional, we will be exactly the same people at the end of 2026 as we were at the end of 2025.  It doesn’t have to be that way.  Resolution for betterment is a great objective.  Effective resolution begins with taking time for reflection.  Through reflection we prepare the soil of our hearts and minds to receive the seeds of resolution.  Plotting a course forward begins with knowing where we are and where we have been.  It begins with reflection.

Over the last couple of years, we have given emphasis to the idea of “living by faith.”  What is that?  What does it mean?  How do we do that?  These are important questions worthy of reflection.

We are always at risk of minimizing the phrase “living by faith” to a passive, religious cliché.  Living with a faith system (i.e. religion) is not the same as actually living BY faith.  “BY faith” is about relationship, reconciliation, and renewal both as a person and in the priorities, passions, purposes, and perspective with which we order our lives.

Faith always has an object.  It can be anything:  the spiritual energy of the universe, the human spirit, money, technology, or the power and forces of nature.  Whatever “it” is, it will define how we embrace and live our lives.  

Since the object of our faith is the Creator God, “living by faith” includes the following elements.  Before we plot a path forward with new resolutions, let’s reflect on each of these ideas.  They provide context for making faith-life resolutions.

Priorities:  Seek first the Kingdom of God.  Jesus said this, not me.  This is NOT a call to living in cloisters or holy hovels.  It is the instruction to help us understand that all of life provides opportunities to live and demonstrate the reality of being a citizen of the Kingdom of God - in real time, in real life.

Passion:  Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Again, if you are going to quote, quote from the best.  The Apostle Peter said this.  It was an encouraging salutation at the end of a letter to a faith community undergoing oppression.  “You can’t fix it,” Peter says, “but you can learn of the faithfulness of God and grow because of it.”

Purpose:  Represent Christ well.  This one IS mine :-).  Being created in God’s image gives us two responsibilities:  to represent the King (God) in His Kingdom (creation), and to be faithful stewards of the Creator in His creation.  That is based on the meaning of the phrase “image of god” as used in ancient cultures.  For us, it means we strive to make God look good.  In the New Testament, we more commonly see the phrase, “to the glory of God.”  

Perspective:  All of life is lived in the presence of God.  No, God is not “everywhere.”  He isn’t “in” the stones and trees and rivers.  Rather, all that He has created - His created order - is always in His presence, always subject to His authority, and always accomplishing His purposes (even though they will often confuse us).  The psalmist said it best:  “Where can I go from Your presence?  Nowhere” (Psalm 139).

Resolution:  Given these thoughts on living by faith, maybe we can each make resolutions that will help us engage with our faith in fresh ways.  Maybe it means pursuing a better understanding of the person and character of God.  Maybe it is learning to appropriate God’s grace into our lives.  Maybe it is rewriting our life strategy so we are better able to model the dynamics of God’s Kingdom and represent Christ well.

Like the commitments to regular gym workouts or Pilates sessions, pursuing a life of faith happens only by being intentional.  We are also more likely to follow through if we do it together with others who are seeking to live by faith.

 Living by faith doesn’t try to appease God for His favour;  it seeks to reflect His goodness to others as He transforms us.  May 2026 be a year in which we see unexpected demonstrations and evidence of the fingerprints of God’s grace in our lives. 

Happy New Year.