Albert Einstein defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Perhaps we would do well to ponder that as we face the beginning of a new year.
Are there things that need to change in our lives in 2015 that would help us to become more Christ-like? Who would dare to say “no?” We all have at least one area (and likely many more) that could stand some improvement. If we are honest with ourselves, we know exactly what needs work. I don’t have to point out your shortcomings and you don’t have to point out mine. We know them better than anyone else. After all, in most cases, we’ve excused, coddled, encouraged, and became comfortable with our un-Christlike behavior. That’s why bad habits are so difficult overcome. We’ve become used to them. We keep trying old methods of defeating old problems and ending up with the same old result -- failure.
Could it be time for a new approach to an old problem? The beginning of a new year is symbolic of a fresh start, an opportunity to do things differently. Let me encourage us all to look at old problems with a new perspective. If the old ways of dealing with sinfulness in our lives have proven unsuccessful, its time for some new ways. Maybe we could be more diligent in limiting bad influences and encouraging good influences in our lives. Perhaps we could be more insistent about putting God’s agenda before our own. Possibly we could be more involved in meeting the needs of others than satisfying our own.
Those are just a few suggestions of some new approaches. If we think carefully about it, we can probably come up with more. Just remember -- if the old methods haven’t worked, its time for new methods. Fight the insanity! With God’s help, we can win the battle over ungodliness in our lives. But success will mean doing things differently this year. Make 2015 a year where we all change for the better!
Are there things that need to change in our lives in 2015 that would help us to become more Christ-like? Who would dare to say “no?” We all have at least one area (and likely many more) that could stand some improvement. If we are honest with ourselves, we know exactly what needs work. I don’t have to point out your shortcomings and you don’t have to point out mine. We know them better than anyone else. After all, in most cases, we’ve excused, coddled, encouraged, and became comfortable with our un-Christlike behavior. That’s why bad habits are so difficult overcome. We’ve become used to them. We keep trying old methods of defeating old problems and ending up with the same old result -- failure.
Could it be time for a new approach to an old problem? The beginning of a new year is symbolic of a fresh start, an opportunity to do things differently. Let me encourage us all to look at old problems with a new perspective. If the old ways of dealing with sinfulness in our lives have proven unsuccessful, its time for some new ways. Maybe we could be more diligent in limiting bad influences and encouraging good influences in our lives. Perhaps we could be more insistent about putting God’s agenda before our own. Possibly we could be more involved in meeting the needs of others than satisfying our own.
Those are just a few suggestions of some new approaches. If we think carefully about it, we can probably come up with more. Just remember -- if the old methods haven’t worked, its time for new methods. Fight the insanity! With God’s help, we can win the battle over ungodliness in our lives. But success will mean doing things differently this year. Make 2015 a year where we all change for the better!
God loves you!
Mike
