What are your hopes for 2018?
Hope . . .
You noticed that I asked about your hopes for 2018–not about your New Year’s resolutions. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think plans to make positive changes are an admirable goal. Isn’t that what our resolutions are supposed to be–new habits to make us (and those we love) healthier and happier?
Typical resolutions might be:
- Lose weight
- Eat healthier
- Stop a bad habit such as smoking, drinking sodas, being late, etc.
- Start a healthy habit–exercise, eat more vegetables, get more sleep, etc.
- Spend more time with family
- Control our temper
This barely scratches the surface, but you know what I mean.
But, hope is more broad. It may include all of the “small” things we want to do to be a better person, but hope also encompasses our plans for the future.
Hope includes our dreams.
Hope includes our prayers for peace, our family’s happiness and well being and our wish to serve others.
My hope for 2018 is that we love one another–that grace and peace will abound both here at home and throughout the world. I hope that I can somehow contribute by sharing peace and grace with others.
When we make a resolution we’re planning to be resolute, determined to succeed in whatever vow we’ve made. We’re making a promise to change something for the better.
Because my hope is for grace, peace and love for all God’s people, I’m called to do what I can to make that happen.
My resolution for 2018 is to be kinder.
To think before I speak so that my words do not cause pain to others. When others are rude to me, I shouldn’t respond with anger, but either speak kindly or remain silent.
To help others whenever possible.
To be a good role model (for kindness) to my family, friends, colleagues and church family. This also includes being kind to strangers when shopping, driving or in any public setting.
Live as people worthy of the call you received from God. Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other with love, and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together.” Ephesians 4:1-3
Making a promise to be kind in all circumstances is harder than it sounds. I’m grateful for your prayers in helping me meet this challenge.
Have you made any resolutions? If you wish, please share in a comment so I can pray for you!
I like your focus on Hope, Katherine. It goes beyond the emphasis on what we do to keep Resolutions to what faith in the God of the universe can bring about. Our world really needs this now, and kindness is a way of tapping into hope– for ourselves and for others. Best to you as you realize what you’re Hoping for in 2018!
The writer of Hebrews tells us:
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:17-19
Hope is powerful and we have God’s promise that our hope is an anchor–firm and secure.
Thank you, Connie, for your encouragement. Wishing you many blessings in 2018.
If we all would choose to be kinder each day, grace and peace would surely abound. Praying for you as you share Jesus’ peace and grace with others. Happy New Year!
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement, Valerie. We’re tested each day and the prayers of God’s children bring us through those trials. Wishing you grace, peace and a blessed New Year.