Education
New Year’s Resolutions The changing of the calendar to a new year, in this case 2009, usually leads us to think about changes that we are going to make for the new year. A fresh start and a new resolve give us the courage to think that things are going to be different this time. At one time such changes might have been unique to our lives but that is certainly not the case any more. We live in an environment that thrives on change. The rate of change that we must deal with is almost out of control. To make a New Year’s resolution to change hardly seems necessary. I would like to suggest we consider for this year to make resolutions about what needs to stay the same in our lives. What do we need to keep? Really this is an upside down way to get at what is really most important in our lives. This is a very good thing to rediscover more frequently than we do. What do we value? That is not to say we might not resolve to do some things better or with more passion and purpose, but what is it that we would never want to forfeit in our lives? In today’s culture, unless we intervene more intentionally, change will become the norm and we will be led to make changes in areas that really need to stay the same. Eventually, I am afraid we will discover that our foundations, our values, and our beliefs have been eroded away. Not because of a grand-scheme, single decision but a series of subtle changes that each seemed to be right at the time and yet in the larger context, as a sum total, have brought us to places we never intended to be. The fences come down around us that have protected us not with a bulldozer but with wire clippers, a link at a time. Granted, I do think that some change is not only good, but that it is absolutely necessary and important. Our inability to discern those changes that will have larger consequences and what those consequences ultimately might be is the very issue we must wrestle with daily. Every family, every institution, each person must at some point recognize and establish those aspects of who and what they are that are non-negotiable. Where is the immoveable line drawn for you? Where do you stand firm? It is getting more difficult to find that place, isn’t it? We find that we can rationalize our way to any choice we really want to make. Maybe it would be the best resolution that you could make this year; determine what is it for you, for your family, for your classroom, for your school that is not negotiable. What will not ever change and how will we make sure that it does not change? Do your children know the non-negotiables in your life? Do your students? Do your friends? If not, why not? One place you might start is with what Jesus said when asked, “What is the most important command? Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself.” Doesn’t sound too negotiable to me; does it to you? May 2009 be a year that brings you closer in your walk with the Lord and may you feel His presence daily, leading you on the very path that He has uniquely designed just for you.