Anna never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:37-38

First of all let me wish you a, “Happy New Year!” If you have skipped making any New Year’s Resolutions then I am very proud of you. No, seriously; let me explain.

Making promises we likely won’t keep sets us up for failure and disappointment. Think of it this way; as a Christian – a follower of Jesus – my commitment is to walk in his way – “The new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20). If my focus is on cultivating a closeness to God then I necessarily experience growth in my life; any improvement comes from that foundational commitment.

In other words, if everything is framed in terms of being a disciple, and because I am a constant work in progress, God is working on me.

Faithful over the long term:

Being in church yesterday set this beautifully in context. Rebekah preached one of my favorite stories, Luke’s account of Anna and Simeon, two elderly people who met – and recognized – Jesus at the temple when he was still an infant.

The point that hits home for me is this: Both Anna and Simeon were faithful and committed long-term practitioners of their faith. There was no, “This year I’m going to try and show up for Temple more often.” And likey no, “My resolution is to try to pray once a day – and read some Torah too.”

It is as Yoda so wisely encouraged Luke Skywalker (Star Wars): “Do or do not, there is no try.”

What we get via faithfulness is not nostalgia for the past, nor is it optimism for the future; what faithfulness gives us is a solid relationship with God that is new every morning. Faithfulness means being at worship, and not missing the spectacular when it does comes along; you know, like meeting the infant Jesus! Because we are already there, and being there – together – is a huge part of what makes “there” so meaningful to begin with.

Faithfulness in this New Year makes us partners with Jesus in whatever initiatives God is up to. “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).

So here it is, friends: 2024. Between the elections and the Olympics, there’s so much going on it’s a good thing the Leap Year gives us an extra day to fit it all in!

But most important is the following question: What are we going to do with this amazing opportunity? If we do it in the context of faithfulness, and in community, then “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). – DEREK