Some of us are slow starters. Two weeks into a new year and we are just figuring out what resolutions and goals are worth pursuing. Others hit the ground of the new year running. They began praying or fasting or exercising or reading on January 1st. In large part, though, we share a common dilemma. Most of us will face a setback or complete failure to meet our goals or keep our resolutions at some point this year. Only 9% of resolvers maintain their resolution throughout the year. While 43% give up entirely by February. Let’s face it, for the most part we are failures. 

The issue is not whether we we fail, this year or another, but how we will meet our failures and move forward. If we struggle to maintain the goals and resolutions we establish for ourselves, what are we to do with God’s Law that is inflexible? We are not only failures, we are law breakers. Cheer up!

At this point, you may expect me to encourage you away from resolutions and goals because the success rate is so low and the frustration rate is so high, but that is not my aim. Resolutions are fine. Goals are good. Failure is a given. It is in our failure and disappointment with ourself and in our sinfulness, having repeatedly broken God’s Law, that we are met with grace. God’s grace does wince at self-made broken promises. God’s grace doesn’t shy away from sinful law breakers. God’s grace meets us where we are, as we are, and reminds us that we are new. In Christ, we are new creations. His righteousness is ours, when our own righteousness is nowhere to be found. So, cheer up! A new year may not mean a new you, but in Christ, all things are made new.