As we welcome 2023, almost everyone we know is expressing new-year resolutions. The word “resolution” is defined as – the action of solving a problem; a firm decision to do or not do something. More exercise and better eating habits seem to be the standards as we’ve felt less energetic and have watched the numbers on the scale rise over the past year.
But what about personal, relational, and spiritual changes? How do we know if it’s time to change? And more importantly, once we identify the need, we have to ask ourselves…are we willing to change?
So, how do we know if it’s time to change? Simply put –
- Things don’t seem to work anymore
- We put on a happy face and go through the motions, but there’s no satisfaction inside
- We feel like an actor in a lousy role in a bad production that just won’t close
I remember the Ed Sullivan Show when I was a kid. It was a weekly variety program that provided a stage for groundbreaking performances in the arenas of rock-n-roll, comedy, sports, politics, and novelty acts.
One such novelty act was the “plate spinner”. One man setting multiple plates in motion, spinning them on tall sticks and hurriedly moving from one to another to ensure no plate lost its momentum and came crashing to the ground.
Sometimes life becomes a bit like plate spinning. We’ve taken on more than we should, we’ve incorporated elements into our lives that shouldn’t be there, or we find ourselves trying to please and appease everyone else at the expense of our own well-being.
While the plate spinning was fascinating to watch on TV, the act was meant for entertainment purposes, not for real life. When it takes too much energy and emotion to balance the plates we’ve added to our life’s performance, when we’ve spread ourselves too thin and are not effectively managing our life’s stage, then we know it’s time to change.
God’s perspective on life is always the truest guide for necessary changes. Because of His love for us, He knows what is required for us to enjoy healthier lives – personally, relationally, and spiritually. To assist us, He’s given us the ability to recognize right from wrong, good choices from bad, risky behaviors, and unhealthy patterns. But it’s up to us to respond with a willing heart to His clearer vision and guidance.
As we embark on 2023, let us take an honest inventory of our lives and thoughtfully evaluate whether changes are needed. If the answer to the assessment is “yes”, then Psalm 51:10 provides a perfect prayer for the desire to change – “Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit with me.” It’s the first step toward the life God intends for each of us.
For more on this topic, visit the Whimspiration Youtube channel “Faith Hope & Friends”.