If New Years Resolutions work, then what's a conscience for?

This is the time of year when many Americans get bored with the holidays and try to list ways they wish their lives were better.  They call the lists "Resolutions", but once resolved, they are never very resolute.

The practice probably began when some poor sap was hung over from the New Years Eve party the night before, and he swore he would never take another drink.  I'll bet that promise lasted until the next Saturday night.

What's really ironic about it is that New Years is not one of the three major days for church attendance--Easter, Mother's Day, and Christmas.  One would think that if people wanted to improve their lives en masse, they would choose a day when their consciences were pricked by a professional.  It just proves my theory that no one ever listens to the preacher in church, anyway.  They all go to be seen, and to gossip about people who are there--what they were wearing, who they were with, etc.

There is an old Preacher's story about a duck church.  All the ducks waddled in every Sunday, and listened to the sermon, and then they all waddled home.  Once, they had a duck church revival.  They invited a duck Evangelist to speak, and he was very charismatic.  "You don't have to waddle, my friends," he bellowed at them.  "God gave us all wings.  I'm here to tell you that you can fly!"  All the ducks in the congregation stretched out their wings.  Some started to flap and even got off the ground.  There were hundreds of duck conversions that day, and scores of duck baptisms.  And then, after the service, all the ducks left the church building and they all waddled home.

I guess my point is that real growth happens randomly.  It happens when a major crisis occurs, and you cry out to God.  It happens when God reaches down and grabs you by the neck and shakes you to your very core.  Then, and only then, will you resolve to change the way you behave forever.

So go ahead and play the silly game, if you must.  Resolve that you will put "stand on the rings of Saturn" on your Bucket List.  Promise that you will move to India and take up where Mother Theresa left off.  Swear that you will find a cure for cancer and the common cold in your spare time.

But when 2011 comes, and it looks a lot like 2010, don't be surprised that you do what you've always done.

One thing I would encourage everyone to do this year, however:  listen to that still, small voice.  Know that God does really love you.  And when He finally gets through to you, and shakes you to your very core, then you will know that you are being changed for the better.  You are becoming conformed to His image.  And you don't have to worry about breaking any false resolutions you might have made.

Have a happy, healthy, prosperous and Godly New Year.