2016 Wishes

NEW YEAR – NEW CHANCES – NEW CHANGE

30 “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:30 – 31

 The calendar is the method we use to measure linear time.  We structure our lives around time, around dates, around events, and around lives anchored to the material things that will pass away in the end when everything is said and done.  People from all places cling to material possessions for the unwritten rule is the more you have the better you are, thus the more power you acquire. Money is very much an example of how we as people cling to materialism as it takes time and effort to acquire. The instant reward for acquiring this wealth, (i.e. things),  is that there will be more doors called opportunities, (generally entrenched the individual into a specific lifestyle based on money), therefore the more money it takes to keep the doors open. In this lifestyle the harder a person has to work to make everything flow as everything which is devised from man will. Though there are many more examples of this the way we approach life as mortals is very much linked to our beliefs and priorities. If money is a persons priority then all their efforts will be to acquire wealth and in that frame of mind nothing else will be as important. That single decision will dominate that persons thoughts in both their professional efforts at others expense and their social life for it will be anchored in spending time with people who have wealth in order to make those connection to enhance their professional life.  Their friends become business opportunities and their time spend will only be based on the surface, nothing deeper can grow in this environment. Sadly, the people of lesser means that God sends into life of the aspiring rich person will be deflected away because of their perceived status and the important lessons God is trying to teach is lost. Eventually a crisis will accrue and the hunger for a deeper relationship will become the center piece of that crisis because we are designed to function as social beings, we are hot-wired to build deeper relationships with other people absent of status, absent of what other people can do for you, for our lives must have meaning, and this is achieved through the hope that others first accept the person you are in this world. Within this hunger of a meaningful relationship we all strive to be heard, respected, liked, and understood this translates into the feeling of being loved which impacts our hearts and influences future behavior in a very deep meaningful way. The fix for the aspiring rich person does not come easy as their dedicated linear time is spending building the things of this world, rather the only fix is found in the love we are given from God. Whether people want to accept this truth or not the matter-of-fact is that all people are born with God being present within them; the key is to accept His divine presence in their earthly lives. Therefore, Isaiah states very clearly that those of us who live a life based on earthly pursuits grow weary, but those of us who place hope in the risen Lord find strength and renewal in Him alone and thus soar like eagles in all areas of our lives. The driving force in this scripture is that we are given many opportunities for change and in the effort for making positive changes in our lives is the reality of having a rewarding relationship with our God in Heaven.

NEW YEAR

8 “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” ~ Philippians 3:8-9.

Within the theme of a New Year and making “New Years Resolutions”, the more meaningful the resolution and the more we place God within the core of the change we want to make the better chance it will be that the change will be lasting. For God demands us to make changes with every revelation He gives to us. In this way become more like God, for our actions will then reflect God within our lives and we can be found in Him, Our Lord and Savior. So when it comes to a new change the mindset must fit the transformation God wants to make within us. To say, “I want to lose weight.”,  misses the mark unless you make the adjustment by adding, “I want to live healthier in both my life and in my spirit.” This adjustment anchors your change and reflects a new mindset in your faith and thus activates the power of God within you and instead of one flawed person trying to do something different there is the creator of the universe giving them the strength to make the change permanent.

NEW CHANCES

2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~ James 1:2-4

Each trial and tribulation in our lives is also a way God gives us new chances to believe in Him. Each test we are given a new chance to prove ourselves and to be as God is trying to mould us. There is in my book not one chance with God, not two, not three chances, rather our Lord and Savior is a God of many chances. God walked among us, he felt the same temptations as we feel, and so his sympathy is without limit and his forgiveness is always available for the asking. Therefore, we should not look at the new year as a second chance to do something, rather every day is a new chance, every second we live is a new chance to make an effective change in our life for the positive.

NEW CHANGE

2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” ~ Romans 12:2

Contemplation helps to bring the truth to our hearts, it is the door to discovering our true self, it is the tool God wishes us to utilize before acting and to always be asking for guidance within the divine will of God. If there is one change most people need desperately to make in their lives it would be to contemplate, to make time to think of their spiritual concerns, and to align themselves with the effective change God is calling us to make. Again, every change is directly linked to living a life free from the worlds trappings and instead living our lives for God. The next change that will drive all future positive change is the acceptance of God within us so we can be found within God and truly build that relationship He is yearning to have with you. If there is any New Years Resolution I would ask for for all of you it would be for all of you to become closer with our one true living God. Happy New Year 2016!

Amen,

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Published by

Brian Keith

Brother Brian currently serves within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic School System. He is in his sixteenth year of teaching and is serving as the Director of Technology in his present school.

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