New Year's Resolutions

Sometimes the stars align perfectly or, if you believe as I do, we get a glimpse of God in our earthly realm. Today was one of those days. Our Sunday School class was set to begin an 8-week series called The Wesleyan Way by Scott Jones. Prior to Sunday School, at the 8:30 worship service at Main Street United Methodist Church, Rev. Todd Watson's sermon, entitled "New Year's Resolutions" revolved around the theology of John Wesley. Coincidence? I think not!

Todd's sermon began with a reading from Malachi 3. Malachi was the last Old Testament prophet before Jesus appeared on the scene. Malachi lived during the time of Israel's captivity by the Babylonians. Small groups of Israelites were being allowed to return to Jerusalem, where they were rebuilding the Temple and the city walls. Despite these advances, things were different. The people were dying spiritually. Malachi tells the Israelites that if they will return to God, God will return to them. Things can improve.

We face a similar situation today. We are surrounded by beautiful facilities, we have relatively easy lives, but we are looking for momentum, something to carry us forward. We yearn for a return to God.

John Wesley encouraged believers to grow and move forward. Wesley composed a Covenant Prayer to help us return to God and renew our relationship with him. I was unfamiliar with this prayer, but find it so perfect for this time of year, this time of life:

I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,

exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

thou art mine, and I am thine.

So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

As Todd read the prayer aloud, he encouraged us to use this prayer as a springboard for our return to a relationship with God. But - - do we really want to make this return? What are we willing to give up to get there?

As 2015 begins, what a perfect time to step back and examine our life. Where are we with God? Where do we want to be? Can we be open enough to stop blocking God's movement in our life? Can our life reflect our faith? Are we brave enough to claim God's possibilities?

Thanks be to God for a clean slate!