2008 – Year of the Yellow Rat

At the beginning of each year we usually take stock of our lives and resolve to make much needed changes. We decided that this is the year we’ll lose weight, quit smoking, spend more time with our kids, and other vices that haunt us all year. I kind of like the idea of a new year’s resolution. It’s such a simple expression of faith. We look past the imperfections of ourselves and imagine a world where we can correct the mistakes of our past, moving forward to a brighter, happier future.

I find it a bizarre coincidence that this process takes place so close to the birthday of Jesus Christ. In the Christian world, resolution is called this process of repentance, where we recognize our shortcomings, resolve to change our ways, and correct them. Typically the only difference between the two is that in the Christian world, they recognize that they need grace to accomplish these changes, whereas in the secular world it is left to our own strengths.

While the New Year’s Resolution is usually set and broken before January is typically over, the process of repentance is not time sensitive, and in most cases, is followed through to the end.

So, in the Year of the Yellow Rat, I hope each of us can see where we need to change, and realize that, “With men it is impossible; but to God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Happy New Year Everyone!