Dry January is a pledge to refrain from alcohol. A healthy resolution.
Citizenship in the U.S is tested every four years. The peaceful transfer of power with the inauguration of the next President calls for both citizen support that applauds and affirms and citizen support that confronts and resists. A meaningful resolution.
The spiritual journey at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church this month includes a covenant to become a disciple who: freely and heartily yields all things to God’s pleasure and disposal. In the manner of John Wesley, a follower of Jesus promises to: give all that I have and all that I am for the Holy One. A compelling and challenging resolution.
The opportunities and challenge that face disciples, members, and citizens are many and daunting. The apostle Paul offered insight from his prison cell in Rome in the first century. After being arrested for challenging religious authority and resisting the Empire of Caesar, he had the audacity to suggest that faith could inform everyone’s daily life.
He’s right! He suggests that there is nothing to keep us from achieving resolutions like these. Lean into this abiding truth: One God who is above all and through all and in us all. Such a statement of faith changes how each of us see ourselves AND challenges how we see and relate to everyone else. In the face of difficult problems and troublesome people, he begs us to proceed with humility, gentleness, patience, and love toward one’s self, others, and the powers-that-be. God opens the door. Peaceful solidarity is on the other side. It’s all a matter of resolve!
-Rev. David W. Meredith