Spiritual Life Management

January 10, 2014

Resolutions

The time has come for New Year's resolutions. Every year the resolutions are extensive. Almost everybody makes at least one or two of them. It is a tradition, just like many of the traditions that we almost unconsciously follow.

Most people have resolved things like quitting smoking, learning to play the piano, or losing weight. Some have resolved to read the Bible, watch less television, or spend better quality time with their children. There are endless varieties of resolutions.

Resolutions are a good idea. Any self examination is helpful. If we want to change and grow and thrive, we have to make adjustments here and there in our life, or the status quo will rule the day. I encourage all manner of resolutions for us.

But what I really want to talk about are the resolutions that God makes. Have you thought of those? Of course, God is not caught up in time and space, so maybe he doesn't actually make New Year's resolutions. But don't let that fool you into thinking that we don't know much about the resolutions that God does make. In fact, I believe we know a great deal about the resolve of God.

We know that it is God's resolve to continue to pour out his blessings and grace on us. We know that it is God's resolve to continue to offer for us a way that leads not only to everlasting life in heaven, but also to richer life on earth. We know that it is God's resolve to continue to create and continue to preserve the world around us. We know that it is God's resolve to listen to our prayers and to respond. And we know that it is God's resolve to bring more and more people to the knowledge and love of him.

The resolve of God is not a mystery. God's resolutions are not hidden from our sight: on the contrary God's resolve should, in some sense, be obvious to us.

So for a change this year, instead of my usual litany of resolutions, I am narrowing it down to one. I am going to have and promote only one resolution.

In light of what we know of the unshakeable and incredible resolve of God, the only resolution that I can offer up for us is to respond.

Steph+

Scripture

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 - "The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'"

James 2:14-17 - "What good is it my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,' and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead."

Tradition

Book of Common Prayer, An Outline of the Faith:

"The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God."

The Hymnal 1982, Hymn 82, verse 1:

"Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be, he is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he, of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see, ever more and ever more."

Reason

Question: I have not yet returned my pledge card. I see the reminders in the emails and on Sunday, and I feel guilty. I have a hard time committing to attending a party much less committing money and time to San Jose Episcopal Church. Why can't I just continue to put money in the offering plate each Sunday and forget about the pledge card?

Answer: Thank you for asking this difficult question. Many people have had this very same question. The answer is really simple. As Christians, we are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ on earth. Stewardship is a direct, personal relationship between each of us and God. San Jose Episcopal Church is merely the conduit:

As His disciples and ministers of His church, we are commissioned through our baptisms to continue His work in the world. As His stewards, we are responsible for caring for all of His creation and working to further His kingdom. We carry out His work by giving of our financial resources and by giving of our time to being involved in the many ministries of San Jose Episcopal Church. All gifts are important.

By taking the step of signing your pledge card and committing to work, pray, and give, you are actually accepting the blessing of giving back to God that which belongs to Him. Remember that God doesn't ask us to give because He needs our money. Everything is His already. God invites us to give because we need to.

The Rev. Stephen C. Britt, Rector,

Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, Stewardship Committee,

San Jose Episcopal Church

7423 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, Fl 32217