Do you know what quality in your life you would most like to see
improvement in over the next year? The Lord does not recommend that we
take on too many issues at once. Nor does it work to take on a huge ill-defined
issue such as, “I will be less selfish in the future.” It is important that we focus
on some specific situations in which we have seen a pattern of selfishness.
The Lord describes very clearly the steps we are to take if we are to improve
spiritually:
The question therefore is: How ought a person to repent? And the reply is, Actually;
that is to say, he must examine himself, recognize and acknowledge his sins, pray to
the Lord, and begin a new life. Without examination repentance is not possible. But
of what use is examination except that one may recognize his sins? And why should
he recognize his sins, except that he may acknowledge that they are in him? And
of what use are these three things, except that a person may confess his sins before
the Lord, pray for help, and then begin a new life, which is the end sought? This is
actual repentance. (True Christian Religion 530)
The Lord wants us to be truly happy. He wants us to have the joy of using
the gifts and talents that He has given us to make the world around us a better
place for others and for ourselves. He has given us His Word to help us learn
what we must know if we are to make good decisions and follow Him ever
more clearly in our lives. We need to learn from the Word and we need to use
what we learn to reflect on the patterns in our concerns, thoughts, words and
actions.
As we look to a new calendar year, may each of us commit ourselves to the
personal work that will help this year be a better year for us and for all those
who come in contact with us. Amen.
Lessons: I Kings 22:1-9, 15-18, Divine Providence 278
The Rev. Eric H. Carswell is pastor of the Bryn Athyn Church.
He was ordained into the second degree in 1981. Throughout
his career he has been pastor of the Glenview and Pittsburgh
congregations and head of their schools, Dean of the Bryn
Athyn College Theological School, and regional pastor for
the Northeastern United States. Most recently he was Vice
Chancellor of the Academy of the New Church and Bishop’s
Representative for the Academy of the New Church and the
General Church Schools. He and his wife, Donna (Zeitz), live in Huntingdon Valley,
Pennsylvania.
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