HOGWASH
At the risk of sounding cynical, which I apparently fall victim to according to sources (like family), I think New Year’s Resolutions are a bunch of hogwash.
There was a time when I was a bright eyed participant in New Year’s Resolution proclamations. It seems to be a national and familial pastime to wait for the New Year to be and do what we really meant and desired to do and be year round.
Those bright eyes grew dim in the light of reality. And years of failing.
I’ve heard a lot of folks, some from my family, vow that this is the year to clean up that diet, give up the Hostess Hohos and get back in shape. I’ve heard some folks swear off fast food. They fell off that wagon faster than they could get through the drive thru…
I remember my parents make some New Year’s Resolutions to give up smoking… I just can’t recall how many times. And since the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I had a few of my own misspeaking.
I can’t remember how many times I’ve vowed not to drive like a bat out of hell, to be kind and more gentle in traffic. I’m not sure I ever made it around the block… much less through the first day…
I did manage to go without Doritos, original flavor of course, for probably more than ten years… I had to go to the bank today, which happens to be inside the Fry’s grocery store. I did my good deed and picked up some needed bottled water… and a handy bag of Doritos… original flavor or course.
None of us like to be weak, we have good intention… but alas, the flesh is indeed fallen. And not even the power and promise of a brand spankin’ New Year can change that.
I’m not suggesting that we’re a bunch of “liar, liar, pants on fires”, but we struggle to keep our vows, our contracts, or covenants.
Only God Himself has the Power to keep His covenant. To keep His vow paid for by the blood of His Son. And that’s really all we can count on for sure in the gift of another year; Him. His perfect Word.
It’s good to strive to be better. I think that desire in us is part of us “being made in His image.” But it’s only by His power that we ever succeed. And it gets easier, and possible, with Him in us and our will aligning with His.
Trying to change without the power of God, New Year or otherwise, is nonsense. Or what us old fashioned folks like to call “Hogwash”.
Sunday, January 5, 2020 @ 3:27 pm
I can remember as a teenager making resolutions that were broken quicker than I could say Amen. As I got older I finally realized making resolutions was an effort in futility. Do I think we ought to stop trying to change? Of course not. But to make a resolution is never going to make things easier nor make me stronger. Now I simply ask a simple prayer: “Father, help me to be more like your Son.”
Sunday, January 5, 2020 @ 7:16 pm
I agree Floyd. Resolutions are like promises. Our intentions may be good, but why make a promise that you can’t deliver? I think that’s why God said “Don’t make an oath”. I’ve never understood the whole New Years thing, and for what it’s worth.. I’ve learned that even signing a paper you are often doomed.
God knows how weak we are without our promises.
Monday, January 6, 2020 @ 6:21 am
Floyd, I can’t disagree with your post. I do try to go into the new year with a list of goals that I would like to achieve. Goals that are measurable, goals that can be tracked, goals that are written down.
Not an off the cuff, I would like to _____________________ this year, but a solid.
1) I will lose 40 lbs by the end of the year —and keep it off.
2) Save X amount of dollars toward the purchase some property for my family to camp on and maybe my wife and I to build a retirement cabin on. — I have saved some, but still have a ways to go.
3) Be able to do 30 push ups in 90 seconds, 30 crunches in 60 seconds, and a tabata of burpees for 5 min, 7 sets of 5 every 30, with 15 second rest.
(This should help me meet my first goal)
4) Read 12 non-fiction books, 6 of which to encourage my spiritual growth.
These are all easy to track my progress and see where I am falling behind. I start to fall behind, I have to play a little catch-up.
I must admit there are times where I don’t hit my goals… Last year for example… I made an ambitious goal of wanting to run a local park hill 3 times in a row… My goal was not reached… I didn’t have a good plan and didn’t train the way I needed to to accomplish that goal. Also, I hate running… why did i make that a goal in the first place?
I can’t deny that I am weak. God most certainly knows that, but in His strength, we can accomplish much.
Monday, January 6, 2020 @ 12:54 pm
I finally gave up making those resolution which I could never keep. For years I smoked, did not want to quit, enjoyed it but things changed drastically when the Holy Spirit came to resided inside of me. There was no resolution, just the hardship of coming off of something that I was addicted to. Endurance, not even self discipline worked, I endured headache, quick anger at everything, stomach aches. It scared me how much I was addicted. Thanks God for the power of God that did not take away the withdrawals because He wanted me to remember what addiction can cause. Now If I could use the same perspective on eating chocolate…so no more resolutions, I hate failing at them. I did decided to center my thoughts this year on being calm, inside so when the urge hits for that Dove chocolate I can calm my mind instead of thinking about how good it taste. I want to live daily and not long range anymore, maybe because I am almost 73…it calms me to know I have all day to live and I can live it how ever I choose. Good post brother, as always you bring insight and cause those of us who read to think outside our box. Happy New Year.
Monday, January 6, 2020 @ 7:15 pm
Nacho Cheese Doritos are the way to go, Floyd. 🙂
I’ve tried to cut back on sweets enough times to know that I can’t make any change without the power of God moving through me. (And I’m pretty good at blocking his move against both sweets and fried foods.) I can hear my dad calling things hogwash. 🙂