Lead Pastor
Resolutions. Pipe Dreams or Spiritual Transformation?
A new year almost always comes with the infamous “New Year’s resolutions.” You know the routine.
Step 1: Make big resolutions to implement major changes to better your life.
Step 2: Try to implement changes in January with moderate, then declining success.
Step 3: Feel bad that you have not kept up with ______ .
Step 4: Give up and fall back to life as usual.
I know. I’ve been there. We’ve all been there. I cannot tell you how many times I've told myself this (ridiculously unattainable) tall tale: “I will get up at 5:30 am 5 days a week and go running!”
I don’t like running.
I really don’t like being awake at 5:30 am.
Do I need to tell you how this goal turned out?
What if this year, you created a New Year’s resolution that is not a pipe dream, but a commitment that actually leads to transformation?
Seems crazy right? But hang with me here. I (the guy who failed at every running plan) now workout 4-5 times every week and…I love it. AND… if I don’t workout I feel totally off. I miss it. What changed? Three things: habits, identity, and purpose.
One of the first books I couldn’t wait to dive into on sabbatical this summer was James Clear’s “Atomic Habits.” He outlines the power of tiny habits that build over time, like compound interest. Clear lays out both the brain science of habit forming, and simple, yet powerful, tactics for building (or breaking) habits. For example, “Habit Stacking.” This is connecting a new habit (something you want to start doing regularly) to an existing habit (something you do daily).
Every morning (remember how I hate early mornings?), I wake up to get my kids to school. Therefore, I must drink coffee. I wanted to ensure I spent time in the Word and prayer every morning, so I began to “stack” this habit onto my routine.
A) Get kids breakfast B) Drink coffee + (stack new habit) C) Read bible and pray.
This came fairly easy, but consistently working out was much harder. This required another revelation: the difference between setting goals and forming identity. James Clear talks about this HERE. When we set goals, we only focus on the outcome. But if we start with our identity and purpose there is a much stronger chance of success. So rather than saying: “I will exercise 5 days week” (outcome), one should say, “I want to be a healthy person” (identity). As I read through this book, I was amazed at the parallels to how Jesus formed his disciples!
In following Jesus, we are given both identity and purpose.
When Jesus first called the disciples, he gave them a new identity and a new purpose. The years that followed where a daily rhythm of forming and shaping this identity and purpose, building new habits (starting small, then growing) that completely transformed who they were. For example:
In Mark 1:17 Jesus said to them, “Follow me (identity) and I will make you fish for people (purpose).”
In John 15:16, Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you (identity). And I appointed you to go and bear fruit (purpose).”
John writes in 1 John 3:1 “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.”
How is Jesus forming your identity in this new year?
What purpose is God infusing into your life this year?
What spiritual practice is the Holy Spirit leading you to build into a new habit?
Maybe there is a new depth of prayer you feel called toward?
Is 2024 the year Jesus is inviting you to recommit to worshipping regularly?
Perhaps the Spirit is stirring your heart toward generosity of your time or resources?
Whatever new habits you feel led to commit to in 2024, may they begin with the identity and purpose you have been given by our Lord Jesus. May God’s Spirit lead you to your best year yet!
In Christ,
Pastor Josh
