Six Resolutions for a Community of Blessing

A new year soon to begin. I pray for a special 'year of the Lord's favour' for our three churches, for each individual member, and for our neighbourhood. May God break into many lives with his healing power and love. Here are 6 New Year Resolutions for our Communities of Blessing which could enable this.

1. Be thankful. Thanksgiving is the gateway to God's presence (Psalm 100.4). Start with the small and everyday: a roof over our heads, food on the table, people who love us, people we love. Think of the world around: flowers, birds, trees, the harmony of colour, art and music. Give thanks most of all for the awesome love of God expressed in the gift of his Son and his ultimate purpose of uniting earth and heaven in him. Thanksgiving banishes negativity.
2. Be present. God has made us for each other as well as for himself, so we need to be as committed to each other as we are to him. This means a real attentiveness to each other (the greatest gift we can give is to listen); as far as possible, it means weekly attendance at worship whether we are 'doing anything' (reading, leading, singing/playing, serving coffee) or not - because our very presence can be a blessing, with a word of encouragement, an act of service or a listening ear.
3. Be watchful. See the world in heaven's light, as we look for the fulfilment of all things in Christ. Pick up that piece of litter; buy that 'Big Issue'; speak words of hope and encouragement to friend and stranger; join that campaign for a better world; engage in community action as our gifts and opportunities allow; rejoice at every sign of God's presence and love in the world; resist evil.
4. Be prayerful. Let there be moments of stillness and waiting every day. Like St Cuthbert, storm the gates of heaven with intercession for the needs of others. Do not hesitate to bring to God those things which seem impossible to us but which are possible to him (Luke 18.27). And may more and more of us engage in praying together, for there the Lord is present (Matthew 18.19-20). As a result, we can...
5.  Be expectant. What will God want to do in us and through us this year? Are we in danger of hindering God by trying too hard sometimes? 'In quietness and confidence is our strength'  (Isaiah 30.15). Remember that God's ultimate purpose is to bring the whole world to the knowledge of himself (Isaiah 11.9), not to help us run a successful church (whatever that may be)!
6. Be resolute. There is only one resolution that really matters, and that is to be obedient, to follow wherever the Lord may lead us, surrendering to his will and purpose (Joshua 1.7). Only thus can we be confident of 'God with us' (Joshua 1.9); only thus will his majestic rule of peace and love finally be established on the earth. 'The world needs the church' and only through our 'resolution' can God's mission on earth be accomplished.

By God's grace, may we be blessed and be a blessing in 2013.