Blog: New Year’s Resolution: Engaging Life’s Grand Purpose:  

New Year’s Resolution: 

Engaging Life’s Grand Purpose:  

The word “Resolution” originates from the Latin expression “resolvere,” meaning “to loosen, untie, or resolve.” This encapsulates the idea of shedding old habits to embrace new beginnings.  

Traditionally, New Year’s resolutions across various cultures have held a religious and relational significance. For example, the Babylonians and Romans made promises to their gods at the start of each year.  

Similarly, in the 1740s, John Wesley, an English clergyman, introduced the Covenant Renewal Service in Methodism, encouraging spiritual commitments for the new year. 

In Ethiopia, where New Year is celebrated in September, the resolute focus among Christians is often on expressive thanksgiving celebration and strengthening communal bonds. 

In contemporary times, common resolutions include personal goals like exercising more, losing weight, getting organized, learning new skills, and saving money, particularly in the modern world. Notably, January sees a surge in gym memberships, highlighting fitness as a prevalent resolution. 

It is said that the longest New Year’s resolution ever made was by a man who vowed to learn one new word every day for 30 years! The Guinness World Record for the most New Year’s resolutions made by one person is 525, achieved by a Scottish man in 2011. 

However, the true essence of life’s grand purpose extends beyond mere self-improvement. It involves deepening our relationship with Christ, the eternal shepherd of our life and destiny, fostering connections with others, and aligning our endeavors with our calling. In this broader perspective, resolutions, whether personal or shared, gain a deeper and more enduring significance. 

Despite statistics indicating that about 80% of New Year’s resolutions falter by February, there remains a beacon of hope. Our faith reassures us that God, the architect of our grand purpose, will see through the good work He started in us, as Apostle Paul proclaimed “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.   “ (Phil. 1:6). Staying true to this divine path ensures our resolutions have a lasting impact. 

The tradition of setting resolutions can be traced back to the Babylonians, who sought their gods’ favor at the year’s beginning. However, the Gospel offers a contrasting view. It teaches that through Jesus Christ, God has generously extended His grace to us, making us His children and empowering us to live out our callings.  

While the Babylonians pledged to return borrowed items and settle debts, we are reminded of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, clearing our spiritual debts and freeing us to serve Him and His people joyfully.  

The Great Commission, The Great Resolution 

In the pursuit of Jesus’ grand mission as our life’s ultimate purpose, the Great Commission outlined in Matthew 28:18-20, is a lifelong resolution, a continuous journey of growing closer to Christ, and living out His teachings. Jesus said “Therefore, go and make …” It is an active call that integrates personal spiritual growth with active evangelistic engagement in the world, underpinned by the assurance of Christ’s unwavering presence. 

“Make Disciples” 

At the heart of Jesus’ mission is the call to discipleship. This involves nurturing a deep, ongoing relationship with Christ, characterized by prayer, studying Scripture, and embodying His teachings. It’s a commitment to lifelong learning and spiritual growth, where humility and a willingness to be transformed by God’s word are essential. Discipleship also extends to thoughtfully engaging with our faith and living it out in the world, making it a continuous focus to grow in wisdom and make a difference in others.  

“Go” 

The notion of going in the context of the Great Commission isn’t just a physical directive but a call to live out our discipleship daily. This aspect of the Commission invites us to weave our mission into the fabric of everyday life. Whether we are at home, in our communities, or in the workplace, our calling is to be emissaries of Christ’s love and grace, making discipleship an active, ongoing commitment that we all do. 

“All Nations” 

The directive to reach “all nations” broadens our perspective, challenging us to extend our witness beyond familiar territories. Embracing this call means recognizing the universal relevance of the Gospel, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. This commitment to inclusivity and diversity in our mission work aligns with our ongoing resolution to be agents of God’s love in every corner of the world. 

“Baptism” 

Through the gift of Baptism, we identify with Christ and His mission. This profound union represents a life-changing blessing and public declaration of our ongoing resolution to follow Jesus and be part of His transformative work in the world. Baptism reminds us of our commitment to live out the values and teachings of Christ, continually renewing our dedication to Him and His life-saving cause.

The Promise 

The assurance of Christ’s presence is the cornerstone of our confidence and resilience in fulfilling our mission. Knowing that Jesus is with us every step of the way and provides the strength and courage needed to uphold our ongoing witness resolution, even amidst challenges and uncertainties.  

Engage (E.N.G.A.G.E) Outreach Model  

The missional engagement model as described with the acronym ENGAGE helps to garner practical insights that help us to implement the Lord’s grand purpose in our daily life as outlined below: 

E- Establish a witness vision.  

N- Nurture relationships.  

G- Grounds of witness.  

A- Applying outreach plan.  

G- God-centered hope.  

E- Enjoy the journey.  

Objectives of a missional engagement: 

  • E (Establish a witness vision): setting a clear and inspiring direction to intentionally engage in daily witness opportunities and encounters. Envisioning helps to ensure that everyone understands and is aligned with the overarching life’s purpose. 
  • N (Nurture Relationships): building and maintaining strong, authentic relationships within and outside of our witness community.  This emphasizes the importance of interpersonal connections as a foundation for productive engagement.
  • G (Grounds of witness): Identifying relevant mission fields in the community to bring a transforming gospel impact by addressing various felt needs. 
  • A (Applying outreach plan): Implementing a strategic approach to reaching out and impacting the community. This involves deliberate actions and initiatives aimed at advancing the gospel’s objectives. 
  • G (God-centered hope): keeping hope and optimism at the mission’s core, ensuring that all efforts are driven by a faith-filled, hopeful perspective that fully leans on God for guidance and strength. 
  • E (Enjoy the journey): recognizing that while the mission’s goals are paramount, finding joy and fulfillment in the enduring presence of Christ with us. It involves celebrating small victories and embracing the learning experiences along the way. 

 

This model highlights a practical approach to missional engagement, emphasizing vision, relationships, witness fields, and strategic outreach. Everything, however, relies on God as the ultimate sustainer of our lives and calling.