A Pastor’s Perspective

“New Year, New Life” by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)

 Already 2008.  Another year has flitted by.  The New Year dawns with new opportunities, new hopes, and new dreams. 

 The New Year also stimulates personal reflection.  “How am I juggling my relationships and responsibilities?” “Have I grown and matured since 2007?  Or is it only my waist size that has grown?”   After we delve into a personal inventory, we decide upon new goals or resolutions.  “Lose 10.”  Geez, those 10 pounds I lost during the summer found me in the winter.  What’s your #1 resolution for 2008?

 My #1 goal is to follow Jesus no matter what.  Why?  Nothing else in this present life matters if He’s not part of it.  The world says, “Get a life!”  I’ve “got life” in Him.  I’d be lost without Him.  Jesus said, “…Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:25b-26a).

 What exactly do I mean by my plan to follow Jesus?  Think like Him.  Behave like Him.  Live like Him…Die like Him.  Just typing those statements brings upon me a rush of reality.  I’m so not like Him in so many ways.  Just ask my wife.  “Love your enemies,” He said.  My feelings for those who wrong me dictate me to do otherwise.  “Blessed are the meek…” He taught.  It’s so much easier to explode and yell at my kids instead.  “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” He directed.  My natural inclination is to seek first to sleep in and neglect time with Him.  But oh, in my heart of hearts, I sincerely and genuinely desire to be like Him.  Hopeless situation?  Peter gives me hope…and his example gives me the key to spiritual success.

 Peter was sincere when he adamantly declared to Jesus, “I will lay down my life for Your sake.”  However, Jesus informed Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.  We all know of Peter’s failure that followed.  Don’t miss the lesson here.   Peter’s resolution was to follow the Lord no matter what…even if it meant martyrdom.  Why did he fail?  Was he not being genuine?  He was sincere all right.  But he was full of self-confidence.  “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Peter’s trust was in his own efforts and abilities to carry him through, not in the Lord.  Result?  He fell flat on his face and denied the Lord.  We may be sincere in our desire to obey the Lord and choose right, but we will fall flat on our faces as well.  Unless.

 Jump to the Day of Pentecost.  Peter boldly preached Jesus and Him crucified amongst a crowd which no doubt included people opposed to his message.  Three thousand people got saved.  Why didn’t Peter cower in fear on that day?  Did he pull himself up by his own bootstraps to be so bold?  No.  He finally realized he could not follow the Lord in his own strength.  He relied upon the strength of the Lord.  Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

 What are your resolutions for 2008?  If they’re in line with what God wants for you, He’ll be there to help.  He’ll do in and through you what you cannot do through your own sincere efforts.  Ask Him in.