Momma didn't raise no fool...or did she??

I was thinking of posting something funny today in "celebration" of April Fool's Day, but well, I just couldn't quite "get there." Perhaps it was because I was in the dentist chair at 7 am this morning for another 3-hour appointment. (I was going to wear my Billy Bob teeth, but I couldn't quite get my act together that early!) Or, perhaps it's because I've been working on some more serious thoughts.

I've been thinking a lot lately about "trying." You know, as in "attempting." I've been thinking about it in the context of my (and others') relationship with God. So many times I've heard myself use the word when I refer to some behavior I have decided to change or take on, for example praying more or reading the Word more or sinning less. I've heard many other believers do it as well. I hear us say things like the following:

"I'm trying to read the Bible every morning."

"I'm trying to pray for an hour every day."

"I'm trying not to sleep with my boyfriend."

"I'm trying to be grateful."

Try.

Try.

Try....

And what are we really saying when we say these things? I think it's more like, "I want to do this or that--my INTENTIONS are to do it-- but I'm not always doing it." It may be due to lack of effort or self-discipline or just plain not wanting to. So, instead of DOING it or NOT DOING it, we say we're "trying to..." It sounds so much better that way.

The interesting thing is, I don't hear God use the word in the Bible. He just says "be" or "do" or "do not do." In God's world, there doesn't seem to be "try"; there just seems to be DO.

He doesn't say "try to be holy;" He says "be holy"... and when you're not, when you fail, confess it, ask forgiveness, be washed in the cleansing blood of Jesus, accept the grace He gives, put on the armor of God, pray for the strength of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit within you... and be holy. (when you fail once again, go back to step 1--Be Holy!... come on, you all know how to do this... wash, rinse, repeat.)

He doesn't say , "try not to be anxious." He says, "Do not be anxious about anything." (Phil 4:6a) And, when you fail and are anxious, follow the steps above... wash, rinse, repeat!

He doesn't say, "try to rejoice always!" He says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4) Wash, rinse, repeat.

Maybe it seems like I'm playing a game of semantics with this, but I don't think so. I know I was born in April, but Momma didn't raise no fool! It sounds pretty clear to me. And, maybe it's just for me. But I've come to the conclusion that I have to eliminate the word "try" from my walk with God.

No more "I'll try." Just "I will."

"...for it is God who works in you to will and to do according to His good purpose." (Phil 2:13)

According to His word, it's He who is working in me, anyway... I just need to join Him! So, I think I'll give it a try...

confessions of a resolution rebel...

With a new year comes the inevitable ever-present talk of New Year's resolutions. You may have noticed the lack of comment on my blog about this particular topic.

The reason? I am a resolution rebel. I refuse to make New Year's resolutions. I mean, really, what is the point of them? Have you read the statistics about how long they are actually kept? Grim. Truly. And yet, year after year, folks all across the good ol' USofA start off the new year with these great intentions--plans to save money, to get in shape, to lose weight, to spend more time with their families, to .... whatever it may be. They're great plans and, usually, really, really good ideas.

I've seen many new joggers and walkers on my way to work in the morning. Gyms are full. Budgets are being made and receipts saved and documented. Calories are being counted. Closets and desks and living spaces are being organized at a terrific rate! The Bible is being read religiously. And I do believe these resolution-makers truly intend to see these resolutions through to completion. But, something happens along the way...

Just ONE morning of sleeping in instead of getting up to jog before work. Just ONE day of skipping the gym. Just ONE extra frivolous purchase at the store. Just ONE cinnamon roll with coffee. Just ONE... which is usually followed by one more and then one more and then, one day, the resolution has truly been left by the side of the road, and the resolver realizes they're right back where they were on December 31st.

And, not only are they back to December 31st. Now, the cherry of discouragement sits atop that sundae of failed-New-Year's-resolution.

I'm one of those who is a great starter, but I am not so great at being a finisher. Because of this, I do not make New Year's resolutions. I know my limited attention span for such things. I know my limited amount of self-discipline when all that is holding me to my 'resolution' is that I had good intentions.

A few years ago, I decided I would examine myself at the beginning of each year and write down what I would like to see changed--about me, my life, my habits, etc. Then I would write what I would like to see as the outcome and the small goals it would take to get to that place. I could then measure each month where I was at in regards to reaching the outcome. It's been a better plan for me.

Maybe it's because I don't see it as a resolution but as a commitment. (I had a great little piece to include here about resolutions vs commitment, but I have suddenly misplaced the paper. Note to self: resolve to be better organized!!!) I looked up the definitions of those two words, and they are as follows:

resolution: to reach a firm decision about
commitment: something pledged; the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled

Hmmmm. Not a lot of help there, except that, to me, "commitment" seems to be more about action, activity. And it seems much more solid and binding than "resolution."

What really struck me, however, was an extra explanation in the synonym section: "commit may express the general idea of delivering into another's charge or the special sense of transferring to a superior power or to a special place of custody." Now, wait a minute. I think we have something powerful here....

"...delivering into another's charge or the special sense of transferring to a superior power..."

Yes!, my heart cries out! That's what it's about!! It is about "delivering [the change, the great idea, the desired outcome] into Another's charge." It is about "the special sense of transferring [the commitment, the task, the need for strength for the carrying out of the task] to a Superior Power."

It is about me giving it to God and asking Him to be the Author and Finisher of my faith, of my tasks, of the change I seek in myself and in my life. It is me asking Him to change me and to make me into the person He wants me to be... in my finances, in my fitness, in my faith, in my family and friend relationships. That's it. It's not about me going it on my own--resolving and carrying it out in my own strength, but about me delivering the desire into my Father's charge and then walking it out together with Him, in His strength.

Me committing to Him--to seek His face, to talk with Him, to listen for His voice, to keep Him in the forefront of my every day.

And Him committing to me--to be the Author and Finisher of my faith, my strength when I am weak, the Keeper of my heart, my Provider, ever-present, ever near.

I think I'll start my new year off with that...

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~Hebrews 12:1-3

...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 40:31

...unrelated to above--answer to Friday's "fire and ice" guessing game in the comments section of that post...thanks to those who joined in the game! : )