A happy New Year to everyone! It’s that time of commitment again in which we take stock of ourselves a little and decide how we’re going to get better in the year ahead. We dust off the exercise equipment we shoved in the attic last March; the new healthy eating regime is firmly attached to the fridge door with that magnet from the holidays and we begin to commit again to lapsed hobbies or take yet one more stab at completing that substancial piece of reading we’ve been at since before our hair turned grey. For most of us it’s a little predictable but always with the best of intentions. This doesn’t mean it’s not good to cover the same old ground again; if I’ve learned nothing else from experiencing the Grace of God in my life it’s just how fallible we actually are. In light of this it’s always good to rethink, revisit and walk the old road once again in our minds.
Since I began my own ministry I’ve never quite managed to cut the umbilical cord attaching me to Fullarton Church in Irvine where my probation was carried out. In October I met Neil, the minister, for a curry; those who know me well know how important curry is in my life, I don’t meet for a coffee, I meet for a curry. It’s not all about the food, some of my deepest theological debates have been over a plate of South Indian Garlic Chicken. Anyway, I digress, while chomping on the good stuff Neil recommended a book to me that I’m working through at the moment, “The Prodigal God” by Tim Keller. I mention it here because it’s a book that provoked a great deal of worn shoe leather walking roads again and looking at previous conclusions. It’s challenged me to look much more closely at my relationship with God and to try to get in step with His dance that’s already going on in the world. It basically looks at the parable of the Prodigal Son and by questioning not only the actions of the wayward son but also that of the dutiful son in light of the actions of a father who loves them both. If we thought we were like the ‘good’ son then it’s time to think again. It’s opened my eyes to the prospect of even our best endeavours having selfish motives. Scary stuff, so for the last few weeks of 2009 that’s what I’ve been thinking about. In light of all of this what’s my new years resolution? Simply this: “to do it all for God forever”. To try to breathe every breath for the honour of God, every word an act of praise and every deed a reflection of His love. I want to dance with God through eternity. That’s really what its all about!
