More than 4,000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians celebrated the New Year not in January, but in March. This is when they crowned a new king, or reaffirmed loyalty to the old king. Centuries later, the ancient Romans had similar traditions to ring in their new year, which also originally began in March and as they gradually became less warlike, the switch from celebrating the New Year during March (associated with Mars, the god of war) to January (associated with Janus, a god of home and hearth). In 1740, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, invented a new type of church service called Covenant Renewal Services or watch night services, held during the Christmas and New Year's season as an alternative to holiday partying. Worshippers sang, prayed, and reflected on the year and renewed their covenant with God.

As you can see, historically the New Year’s resolution gradually changed from March to January and from political/military purposes into healthy and wellness promises. So why do we currently limit ourselves to only once a year and only one resolution? Why can’t we make promises to become better in many ways more than once a year? Many of those resolutions take time and many times, they need revamping. Maybe consider starting a new tradition of adding a June resolution - sort of a halfway point for the sought-after goals. A spiritual reset is the most important in setting and maintaining those goals. Our faith is our true strength and without it, the struggle to reach other goals can be misleading. We can convince ourselves that our bodies or minds weren’t meant to be a certain way when in fact they can. Give yourself some grace and strengthen yourself in the word of God. Once our spiritual life is reset, we can focus our strength on the goals with a renewed sense of purpose. Evaluate your perspective to keep a focus on the living Christ and how He is always moving in your life.

Blessings,

Marcia K. Gibney
Director of Recreation Ministry