Here we are, the first full week of a new year, and do we ever need one. The thing is, are we willing to accept, buy into, focus on what that means? Sure, much has happened that we didn’t see coming, but that’s the point. It came upon us. Will we have influence, impact, or at least be open to the newness of what our lives hold in the coming months? Or again, will we passively accept what has been without resolution to change?

Resolution? Don’t you know what happens to resolutions made this time of the year? Before the month is out most of them are shelved. What’ve you got here? Another article on how to make and keep New Year’s Resolutions? Sorry, I read them all for twenty years, and the best I’ve come away with is not to make New Year’s Resolutions. Give me more, or I’m canceling out of this one.

Can’t blame you. And you’re right, the futility of the sentiment is pretty real. Honestly though, you’re going to get a Yes and No answer. Hang in here, if you will.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

If you can’t take the high road on this, at least concede this much: we all have that in our lives we’d like to change. Sometimes it’s a big matter: divisions in our society (racial, political, religious, etc.) Other times it’s a cause: poverty, climate change, equal access to good education. Relationships can be improved, both personal and professional. Health is always a big one this time of the year. Then there’s the one that is out of sight, intuitive, intrinsic, psychological, existential. Divide it up however you like. But something is nudging that changes are needed, and ultimately, it starts with the individual. It’s nothing new either.

Our old friend JTB was into this kind of thing. Out in the wilderness (take that as literal or metaphoric), he declared repentance was necessary….Wait a minute. Is this going to be one of those “Sinners, you’re going to burn!” ploys? Cause if it is, my thumb is on the home button. Geeze, don’t be so sensitive, protective, fearful or whatever it is that makes you want to run. Layer on what you will without hearing this out, but you’re walking away from a chance to at least examine what you may be missing.

Steps One and Two

Yes, Repent, John the Baptist said. You know you need it. Why do you think people make those yearly resolutions, devise vision boards around them, go to support groups, even counseling? Some kind of alterations, adjustments, amendments in how life is approached and worked out is needed. At the basis of it is the admittance that something is not right in oneself and an unburdening of negative clutter is needed. Acknowledging that need and the regret that one has in being in these situations is repentance. It’s Step One, Part A: admit to the unmanageable parts of your life. All those in recovery have to learn it first.

So JTB was way ahead of the psychological gurus of today on this one. Yet, he knew more is needed. Part B: you’re powerless to do this on your own. Sometimes that’s what’s missing in those resolutions. People think all they need is willpower. If that were true, WW (a.k.a. Weight Watchers) would have gone out of business a long time ago. Still, these programs have their dropouts.  Move to Step Two: a Power greater than ourselves is needed to restore the sanity in it all.

For JTB, that meant baptism. (Roll of eyes; here it comes.) Ok, granted, now you have images of river dunking or at least a big tub. Well, some just sprinkle a few droplets, but the effect is the same. But again, hold on and see where John was going with this.

He did it the old-fashioned way, with water right out of the Jordan River. Yet, he conceded there would be a greater way, what he called a baptism of the Holy Spirit.

No doubt that statement is tough to take but hear this: we all have that which needs to burn through the soul, a repentance, a willingness to admit life on our terms is not working. Still, the reversal required can’t be done on our own. That’s the Power greater than ourselves, the Holy Spirit. But watch; there’s more.

Enter John’s friend and cousin, Jesus right out of Nazareth, just a few paces removed from that desert wilderness they’re in. Jesus gets in line with the others. Likely, only John realized there was more to this than even he knew. John muttered something about not being worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.

Prepare to Pivot

If there’s going to be a change in your personal position and perspectives, you’re going to have to get in the line. That is, you need to position yourself for whatever difference you want to achieve. And you have to be open to however that comes to you.

The record states, “And when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heaven split open…” (Mark 1:10) The heavens split open? Yes, split open, an explosive tearing apart, not just a peak into the scene, but a spilling out of cosmic proportions. Certainly emphatic yet containing a limitation. The record does not say it blew the place apart. The indication is only Jesus saw it and heard words of affirmation, “You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you.” In other words, it was all for just him to know and live into.

If you’ve read through this passage before and/or you know about similar passages, you may know it’s loaded. Theologians and denominations have argued nuances in its import and significance, particularly in relation to the practice (ordinance or sacrament) of baptism. Not to take away from those discussions, but for now should you want to get mired in that, go to other sources please.

The bigger point is in how change in life happens. A willingness is required to reverse one’s perspectives, practices, lifestyle, even beliefs because you can tell it’s just not working. That’s repentance. And it cannot be done alone or even with the help of those who want something better for you. Life must be positioned for change, for a “baptism” that acknowledges it needs to be turned over to the one who wants to call you Beloved.

Whether it’s by an immersion in the waters of the Jordan River, or a cry of the heart to God, the heavens still split open in answer. It’s not a mere resolution to try and be better, but personal conversion that turns hope for now and in the future into reality through the work of the Holy Spirit.

We’re going to need it. Look what happened to Jesus. Following an epiphany of who he was, where did he find himself next? The wilderness. Happy New Year.

Mark 1:4-12

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