​Ah, the New Year. The anticipation of all that’s to come and all that’s hoped for lies stretching out ahead of you, like a blank canvass. And then the expectation of resolutions descends upon you like a flurry of wet, heavy snow. You knew it was coming, and you mentally prepared for it somewhere in your subconscious. But now people are sharing theirs on Facebook, or asking you at the coffee shop what yours is – or if you have any. You even kind of expect it of yourself. Americans do New Year’s resolutions. That’s what we do. We’re doers. We make plans and we expend ourselves in the direction of something productive. Huzzah, capitalism and self-improvement! All these thoughts run through your head and crowd you into a corner of “should” as a new year has barely begun. Already the weight of 2017 is heavy on your shoulders, and the calendar page has barely flipped over. 

This year, before you go dizzy trying to figure out what all you should do, or even want to do, let’s discuss a nice little foundation for the “new you” going forward. A little something to build on.

I propose finding it in yourself, with the Lord’s help, to BE some things. You can’t really do what’s not in you. Choose being over doing. So it’s time to adopt some qualities or values that make us ready for the good deeds set aside by our Father in heaven for us to do:

R – Resilient: When hurdles come along and block your agenda, do you shrink back from your task and start searching your pocket for your victim card? Or do you recall that “all things work for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28), and keep forging ahead when you know what you do is right?
 
E – Encouraging: Encouragement is one of those things that seems to swirl around and catch everyone up in it once it’s started; it’s contagious. Our words have the ability to drag others down and kill emotions or ideas, and also to infuse vigor and hopefulness. “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up,” says Romans 15:2. 
 
S – Sacrificial: The most sobering question I ever ask myself is Am I just living for myself? We were created to serve a purpose in this world, and yet our self-servient nature must always be battled with to take back time, talents, and efforts that would be more fulfilling to spend on others. Learn to see and seize opportunities. Remember, humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less often.

O – Observant: Our modern society makes us live in a blur. Even when we’re stationary, technology, shortened attention spans, and thoughts about what we could be doing can make us miss so much that’s in front of us. We can learn to truly see other people, and take note of their lives. Then, action to serve and love can be taken. “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).

L – Lenient: This is another way of saying gracious. Allow for people to be who they are, understanding that we all are flawed in our own ways, and yet all are valuable to God. Check judgment and anger in all interactions, and that will allow the edifices of relationship to stand the test of time. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). Especially in today’s increasingly godless culture, we must allow others to see that we are bearing with them, because we want to connect them with ideas that are life-giving. 

V – Victorious: “Ya can’t win em all,” the saying goes. Yeah, well, as Jesus-followers, we’ve won the only one that matters: the battle over sin and death. Christ fought and won for YOU, and then hung the medal around your neck. Remember to look down at its gleaming beauty and know who you are. Then go out and live like a champion. Not arrogant, but exuberant. 

E – Empathetic: When you decide to go out into your world and really mix with it, to make a difference, you’ll encounter so much that’s different from you, so much that’s painful to hear or see, and so much that offends your sensibilities. Remember that every single one of us is God’s child, and we’re all sinners. Some of us just hide our messes better. But whenever you find messy situations, serve with the words of Galatians 6:2 in mind: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” And what is Christ’s law? Love one another. Always love. 


While it may sound just as difficult to increase in any of these qualities as it is to do tasks, there are some encouraging things to consider. First off, pause for a second and think about these things above. Don’t you feel more in tune with those values, and more ready to live them out, just from having read about them? If so, that’s proof that meditating on things like that can be a method of growth. Any time you act those things out is real growth and foundational improvement. So keep this list out somewhere and meditate on it often! Or make a list of your own qualities – whatever keeps you focused on the mind and heart of Christ.

Speaking of Christ, the other encouraging element to this approach to resolutions is that, so long as the qualities are things that are of God himself (notice how often I could attach Scripture passages to these qualities), they’re sure to be perfect prayer cannon fodder. God loves to give you more of what you need, to be a shining light in this world. James 1:5 assures us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Boom! It’s that easy! Don’t you love how God’s Word answers all our misgivings?

So in this dawning light of a new year, don’t get buried in sticky notes or To-Do lists that are daunting and sometimes impractical. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Start with being before doing. The being will lead to the doing. We at Lutherans for Life sincerely hope that your new year finds you busy at work with a full heart, moving towards our cause for the sanctity of life, and all other worthy causes that God sets us toward. May God be glorified through all that we can become, and all deeds we do in His name!

Have a blessed 2017, friends of Life!

Author: Jeff Ulrich

​Jeff is a husband, father, and graduate school student. He attends Hope Lutheran in Oconomowoc. Jeff’s background in ministry education and future in the counseling field reflect a heart that loves to serve others and make a difference. He shares his personal or spiritual reflections in his own time at www.missionpossiblejeffulrich.blogspot.com

​Throughout the year we engage in this cause for Life by whatever means possible, and our collective partnership sees people from everywhere gather our hearts, our minds, our gifts, and our talents to make a difference in the lives of just one more abortion-minded or vulnerable young woman or family. We are all about those people who our mission is for!

But the Christmas season has a harsh way of bringing the worst of pains or personal demons, and the hardest of difficulties, into the front-and-center of our existence. This time of year, we are all in need of help. Odds are each one of you reading this has had a Christmas (or several) that found you thinking, “There isn’t much peace on Earth this year.” Maybe, for you, that’s this year.

We tend to get caught up in the splendor of the fact that the wonderful baby Jesus was born all those years ago, and his parents were so happy and blessed to have him when he arrived. But let’s not forget for a moment that this child was born to a couple who had to have been terrified about what was going on in their lives because of that pregnancy. 

“Mary was greatly troubled at [the angel’s] words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be,” says Luke 1:29. 

She was a virgin. Honor was everything in her culture, especially among family and in her home village. Being pregnant out of wedlock would cast a looming shadow over her life. She had tried to be honorable with her fiancé, Joseph, and everything had probably seemed to be going according to plan. Until this. Now, even though this startling news was coming from a radiant being sent from God himself into her living room, there was no avoiding the dread that clenched her heart and the worry that immediately put that lump in her throat. 

“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.’ “  

Those words seemed to do enough to put a little peace back into her heart for the moment, enabling her to fight back the tears of confused emotion and say before the angel left, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said (Luke 1:38).” 

But we all know what it is to be human. Mary wasn’t made perfect that day the angel visited her. She surely wrestled with severe doubt, dread, and confusion within herself in the days, weeks, and months that followed. As that belly grew, even though Joseph had nobly decided to stick by her side and not quietly break off the engagement, she probably saw some other relationships fall away or come under attack. Did friends disown her or look at her sideways? Did townspeople all whisper to each other disapprovingly as they passed in the market? Did Mary’s own family understand enough, or even believe a story about an angel in her living room? Her world was most likely upside down for the 9 months that followed, all the way up until the night Jesus was born. 

Those are the times when fear drives us to an abortion clinic. Or to just file for divorce. Or to just deny you have an addiction and keep on smiling like you’re fine. Or to just hold that grudge over that family member who destroyed your trust. Or this or that…. When our peace is gone, fear drives us.

But the angel’s words of assurance surely echoed in Mary’s head, and her faith carried her through. 

“Don’t be afraid. You are favored by God.”

Don’t be afraid, dear reader. You and I may have our worlds upside down and feel zero peace on Earth this year. But we are favored by God. Don’t let the devil convince you that’s not true just because it looks like the favor isn’t right in front of you. The immense proof of favor was found 2,000 years ago in the straw of that manger, in every day lived by a man who never sinned, and in the drops of Christ’s blood that fell from his body on that cross of Calvary. Jesus died under the weight of God’s wrath to make sure we knew God’s favor.

Our current circumstances can, and will, from time to time, become incredibly messed up. We’ll have unplanned pregnancies, loved ones will die too soon, careers will end, houses will burn to the ground, terminal illnesses will befall us, and friends will turn their backs on us. The DUIs, the divorces, the IRS audits, the smearing of your name in the workplace, and the child lost to miscarriage are all a part of this sin-stained world. This life will get messy and ugly. 

But don’t be afraid, it’s not about the size of your mess, but the size of your God. You have found favor with God. Immanuel means “God with us” in Hebrew. He could choose not to be, but he IS. The words to Mary were to all of us. God loves you passionately, and has a way for you. It’s not a way out of your circumstances necessarily, but a way into heaven with him, where today’s lack of peace on Earth will be forever forgotten. 

The promise of heaven and eternal favor with the Lord of this Universe, was wrapped in those linens and placed in a manger. May we hold that gift tightly in our hearts this Christmas, and always pass him along to everyone else whose peace on Earth feels lost. 

Merry Christmas, you who are highly favored!