The last day of the year is often the day many people ratify their resolutions for the coming year. Many of the “old” things are thrown out and “new” things introduced. It is a little like the traditional Chinese New Year’s eve spring cleaning. It is a good practice, I must say, to look seriously at ourselves and make resolutions to mend our ways. Of course, we often hear jokes of how such resolutions are also thrown out within a very short time.

I am not going to talk about keeping your new resolutions. What I am really concerned about is how people seem to chuck and change things without much thought. The fashion is to change regardless of the validity and usefulness of the present way(s). The thinking is that not changing is so passé, so one must change despite the consequences.

It is good for us to look really long and hard to make any changes to the way we live. Some of what we do may still be the best way to live, two examples being frugal or hardworking. It would be the saddest day when we throw good and tried ways of life and turn to more attractive lifestyles based on wrong theology. Of course, if something needs to be changed after careful, measured consideration, then put in the best effort to change it. We should not wait to change a leaking faucet, just as we must quickly work to “seal” up loose talk.

Do not look for quick fixes. They are usually bad in the long term. When something is good, we must keep at it and do it for as long as possible or necessary. Keeping close to God, not Facebook or other social sites, is very good for us. It is to our peril to think otherwise and not put any effort into it. The road is narrow and the gate narrower. Be very careful, my friends.

Have a blessed New Year!

God bless!