Happy New Year! For some of us it is hard to believe that it is 2025. I remember thinking that the year 2000 was a long way off. I know, I am not very convincing when I tell the kids that I am 29 years old. Oh well, back to reality.
If you are like most people you are likely thinking about new year resolutions. After all, isn’t that what we should be doing at the beginning of a new year? Why would we do that? Isn’t it for the reason that we want to improve on something in our lives and the “new year” is a suitable place for a fresh start?
If that is true then that means we are likely doing some personal evaluating at the end of the year on how we can be and do better in the future. Those improvements could be anything from losing weight to improving skills to being a better person. St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…” (1 Thes 3:12a NABRE). That sounds like great encouragement and advice.
My take away on St. Paul’s prayer for us is that there is a couple of major points. One; with God we can and will be better. After all, isn’t God the true source of Love? For me that thought goes right along with knowing that with God all things are possible. So, note to self, God should be involved in my new year resolutions.
Two; whatever I decide my resolutions for improvement are going to be they should be based on the foundation of loving others. If I decide to improve certain skills, they should not just be about me, but those improvements should benefit others. My better efforts should be beneficial to those I interact with and serve. God is love and everything we do or say should be out of love.
I must admit that I am a results-oriented person who looks at getting the job done. Sometimes love can be missing in the effort to finish, not out of disdain for anyone but rather simple focus on the agenda and task at hand. It is amazing to experience a job well done when all who are involved are appreciated and treated with love and respect. Rather than experiencing a job done and being self-prideful about it.
The rest of St. Paul’s statement said, “…just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts to be blameless in holiness before God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.” (1 Thes 3:12b-13 NABRE) St. Paul’s prayer should help us keep in mind the true desired result for our lives. It is not just about the improved skill or the lost weight or whatever else may be of our goals but of our disposition to God and our neighbor. With love as the foundation of our motivations it gives a true North direction for our lives and our souls, and hopefully the souls of others. It brings peace in our efforts. I pray that the year ahead brings you greater joy than you can imagine because with God, all things are possible. Shine like the Son.
Related Posts
