“2024 is going to be my year!” It’s going to be the year I change everything about myself and everything about my life!” “I’m going to exercise more, eat less, spend more time with family, spend less time on my phone, spend less time watching TV, spend less time watching the news, and above all fix ALL the problems in my life!” Does this sound familiar?
Every new year I watch and listen as throngs of people post on facebook, or declare out loud, their intentions to turn themselves around in this season of New Years. I am no different; many a January 1st has come and gone with me making the same declarations of intent to change certain aspects of my life for the perceived better. That phrase “perceived better” is what is key in my devotional today. Society places a great deal of time and energy on propagating a perception of perfection. Millions of dollars are poured into products and services that remove, alter, or cover the blemishes of our lives. The image becomes a facade of “I’ve got everything together,” or “my life is perfect,” or “I’m better than you are.” But the stark and dark reality is that even those whose painted faces and sculpted figures belay a sense of betterment, they are still broken people on the inside.
The church is no different in this selfish game of charades. We put on our Sunday best and pretend that nothing is wrong in our lives. When the time comes to share our concerns with others we simply remain silent, not wanting others to know our insecurities and issues. Or worse, we judge those who do share their concerns and whisper in hushed tones about their problems. We tell our kids to sit and be quiet, we hide our pain, our grief, and our imperfections. Shamefully, we do this in the one place where our imperfections should be understood and accepted, because this is where the Gospel of Christ can heal them.
And for those who make the lofty and high-horsed claim, “This is why I don’t go to church, it is filled with hypocrites!.” Well then, perhaps you should look in the mirror my friend, because everywhere you go in this world is full of hypocrites. This is usually a phrase we use to try and dispel the reality that those who follow Christ should be involved with a community of believers, which is also called….A CHURCH! Anyone who claims to be a Christian, and yet is not connected with other believers in faith, is disobeying a direct call from God! “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…” Hebrews 10:25. Does this sound like a call to spiritual isolation, absolutely not. So, perhaps the solution lies in the acceptance that we are all hypocrites, and for that we are in need of salvation and a community of support, which can be found in a church living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Another way to translate hypocrite is imperfection. Our striving to better ourselves is not a shameful call or one that should be discouraged. But the question must be asked, why are you pursuing this venture? Is it because society has called upon you through the demands of what is considered beautiful or successful? If that is the case, then your journey is doomed from the start; because the whims and expectations of society change with the whims of fools. The only person/being that can guide you to success in self improvement is the one who never needed self improvement. Colossians 3:17 states, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” In any venture of betterment, the one who knows best must be consulted. Changes brought upon by Christ Jesus are lasting foundations that one can build upon for future endeavors. Improvements that are based upon humanity’s standards, or simple will-power, will falter and fail. This is because humanity’s standards are broken, and humanity’s will is weak. Whereas the expectations of God upon the creation are filled with grace and correction, and the will of God is unbreakable.
So, if 2024 is truly the year in which you “turn your life around.” Answer yourself this important question; who is doing the turning? Perhaps it is time that we as individuals, churches, and communities hand over the guidance to Christ, and place our will-power in the hands of perfection. Which is, of course, God.
Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters!
Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ACS Chaplain – United States Coast Guard, Station Galveston TX
Chaplain – Texas Game Wardens, Freestone County
Cell: 919-935-2513
Email: pastormike@fumcfairfield.org
