Confessions of a New Year’s Day Struggler

This morning I wake up fully aware of my need to change. There are many areas in my life that need to adjust. Heck, that is the understatement of the new decade I find myself in. There are many areas in my life that need a radical removal and massive overhaul.

A new month, a new me?

A new year, a new me?

A new decade, a new me?

I want to change. I really do. I want to make some resolutions. I want to set some personal goals. I want to have my best life by March.

But it never works. At least it doesn’t for me.

I’ve tried the resolutions. I’m good until a college football game comes on.

I’ve tried setting personal goals. Some work, but not the ones I really desire. The ones that deal with my heart.

I’ve tried “being good” so that it is a habit by March. But. . .

You get the point. It never works.

So this morning, I find myself at a place (again) where I would really like to make some serious changes. I would really like to become a better Matt. But I am struggling. I don’t want to fall flat on my face and be a failure by Friday (January 3rd). Heck, I am overstating it. I don’t want to be a failure by the time Auburn kicks off today (noon).

I read these verses a few minutes ago and (as always) it helped. It’s what Jesus said – via parable – to a group of people about those who are invited and welcomed to the great feast in the kingdom of God.

“Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” (Luke 14:21)

And then, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23)

Do you see it, fellow struggler? Did you catch it? What a relief!

Those who eat at the table with Jesus are not those who have it figured out. They aren’t those who can fix themselves. They aren’t those who have it all together and have made themselves “new” every month, year, and decade.

No. Those who are at the great banquet are those who know there is only one way to be fixed. Those who are at the table are those who realize if Jesus doesn’t make them whole, if Jesus doesn’t do it, if Jesus doesn’t come through for them – they will never be well.

Oh what a relief this is for this New Year’s Day Struggler! The tension and frustration and fear of failure is real and true and accurate. I can’t fix Matt! But Jesus can.

Do I need to become new? Yes.

Do I need a radical transformation? Yes.

Are there big areas that need a massive overhaul? One thousand percent, yes.

My job isn’t to “get to work” per se. No. What I am called to do is recognize my need; recognize my helplessness to “fix” myself; and then plead with the One who does the deep, life-changing, heart transforming work to do His thing in me.

It probably won’t be as fast as I would like.

It probably won’t be as neat and pretty as I would like.

But it will be lasting. It will be refreshing. It will be supernatural. It will be so I will adore the One doing it more and more and more.

Why don’t you join me this morning, fellow struggler, and submit those areas that need a heart and soul overhaul to the Lord? Ask Him to go down deep and change you. Ask Him to make you more like Jesus. Admit that you can’t, and acknowledge that He can.