I’ve never been much for New Year’s resolutions. This year I’m going to kick the cake habit. Mmmm… cake. Ok, maybe cut back on the cake? As I mentally prepare myself for no parking at the gym, I also have thought a lot about new beginnings. My 30th birthday was a big one for me. I decided to spend the day in service. I started out helping friends move and finished it off sweeping dirt in a basement alone at True Light Family Resource Center. It was possibly the best birthday ever. I purposed a long time ago to have a heart of compassion and service and I wanted to start off the decade being the best Sharon I possibly could. This last May was my 35th birthday and I spent it alone, lonely and depressed. Nothing in my circumstances had really changed, and if anything my life was a little better. Besides my struggle for good mental health, I had lost perspective and purpose. Sometimes we need a new beginning. That point in which we adjust our aim, remind ourselves of who we are and start charging forward. Two things that are not helpful, beating yourself up and letting yourself off the hook. If your first thought was I feel so guilty that I haven’t done enough for others, haven’t prayed enough, forgot where my Bible is, or whatever. Stop it. You’re not getting yesterday back. And if your second thought was I wish I could do more but I’m just really busy like washing my hair or something. Stop it. Just shhh. Excuses and self-flagellation will never move you forward. I started writing this earlier today, and about an hour later I called and left a message for the volunteer coordinator at Safehaven. Last spring, she told me a few of the needs they had and I just never got around to following up. I was “busy.” “…with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, …to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” If you’re ready to hit the start or the restart button, do it. You can wait 9 more days until the calendar rolls over to 1/1 again, or you can start right now. The point it, do it. Ephesians 4.20-32 [NIV] 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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AuthorThe Pastors of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church Archives
July 2017
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