2011

If you’re like me (Ken), today your sights are turning towards 2011.  The new year is coming, and we know this because of the countless “quit smoking” commercials that are gracing the episodes of American Pickers I’ve been watching.  And it makes me wonder: What are you hoping for this next year?

A new job?

To lose weight? (me too!)

To quit smoking?

A new baby? (not me!)

A restored relationship?

A new relationship?

A new house?

To make more money?

To give away more money?

To finally finish that project?

A deeper relationship with GOD?

Maybe you’ll sit down with a piece of paper this weekend and write out your goals.  I like to do that, in fact I do it several times a year (if you want some help with that, I’ve uploaded a worksheet we use with the college/career ministry here).  Most of you will think about them, but they won’t end up written down anywhere.  And most of us will end up giving up at some point, or not accomplishing the goal the way we wanted to.  Come on...you know it’s true.

In the early 1900’s, the London Times requested essays from a number of notable writers, including prolific author G.K. Chesterton, to answer the question: What is wrong with the world?  Here is G.K. Chesterton’s response:

Dear sirs:

I am.

Sincerely Yours,

G.K. Chesterton

Chesterton’s response was certainly the shortest, and yet, likely made the most brilliant point of all the essays received.  What Chesterton was able to explain in two words (that, by the way, only use a total of 3 letters! For some perspective, this blog post is: 907 words), is that each of us adds to our own problems, and ultimately to the word’s problems.

Chesterton’s point seems to be that we often point the finger at someone else, that in our minds, the locus of the problem is often in someone else’s hands, rather than our own.  Maybe that will be the case for you and your New Year’s goals.  “It’s his fault,” you’ll say when you didn’t get the new job.  “I just didn’t have enough time,” you’ll say while turning on the television as the project you started this year still sits cold and unfinished in your garage next December.

So, what would make the difference?

Well, some goals can be accomplished through sheer determination and will, which for most of us, means turning off the TV, writing down a plan of action and a date you want to finish it, and going at it.

But some goals need help.  And for those goals I want to suggest that the remedy is total dependance on GOD through prayer.  What I mean by this is consistent, regular prayer; it includes inviting others to pray with you and for you.  If there is one thing I learned in 2010, it’s that GOD is near to us when we pray.  Deuteronomy 4.7 has proven to be true to me over and over again: What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

Paul tells us in Philippians 4 that GOD is near, and that his nearness is what removes our anxiousness when we pray.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4.5-7

Several years ago I heard legendary seminary professor from Dallas, Howard Hendricks, speak, and something he said still sticks with me today: “If you can do it without prayer, is it really worth doing?”

  

The great reformer, Martin Luther, once famously said: “Tomorrow I plan to work, work, from early until late. In fact I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”

So, what are your hopes for 2011?  Who are you depending on to accomplish them?  As we’ve been studying all week, our sufficiency, our hope, our everything, is found in Christ and Christ alone.  Could not also our hopes for 2011 be found in him as well?

Could we take our plans, our hopes, our fears for 2011 to Him in prayer?

Take a moment and meditate on the great hymn: What a Friend we have in Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus, 

all our sins and griefs to bear! 

What a privilege to carry 

everything to God in prayer! 

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear, 

all because we do not carry 

everything to God in prayer. 

Have we trials and temptations? 

Is there trouble anywhere? 

We should never be discouraged; 

take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Can we find a friend so faithful 

who will all our sorrows share? 

Jesus knows our every weakness; 

take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Are we weak and heavy laden, 

cumbered with a load of care? 

Precious Savior, still our refuge; 

take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 

Take it to the Lord in prayer! 

In his arms he'll take and shield thee; 

thou wilt find a solace there.

He is a true friend indeed!

- Ken Lippold