From the Editor

FROM THE EDITOR

OF LISTS AND RESOLUTIONS

Lorraine and I used to keep track of all kinds of things through each year and then make our own lists of “bests” and share them with each other. Best movie, best book, best restaurant, best discovery, best event, etc.

It was a fun practice when we did it. And it was a good thing to do on New Year’s Eve. We would keep lists, and I began to realize as we compared notes, that even in the context of single year, I might actually forget something, even the best something of a year.

One of us might share something only to have the other person say, “That happened this year?” And we would remind ourselves of when we did what.

We don’t keep lists anymore, but I do like the best books lists we run in December and January Connections. I like to ask people about a book they’re reading any time of the year. The end of the year gives me an excuse to formalize the question on a larger scale.

Truth is, I’ve never really liked New Year’s. It seems kind of pagan and absurd. We’ve stayed up til midnight. We’ve watched the ball drop. We’ve participated in the countdown. But when we hit midnight, it isn’t really any different from any other midnight of any other day. I particularly resonate with Wallace’s and Virginia’s takes on this time of year.

And then there’s resolutions. Most resolutions focus on self-help or self-care or selfimprovement, the world “self” being the primary word in them all. Our minds tend to go toward losing fat or getting more muscle or making some other kind of change for the better.

Jonathan Edwards has an interesting take on resolutions: “Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”

How do we live for God in 2022? Ask yourself. Even more important, ask God. Don’t make a list about it or a resolution. Pray. Trust God’s Word and God’s Spirit to help you. Let’s reflect Jesus more this year than last. And encourage one another more than disagreeing or dividing.

Here’s to a better 2022.

WIL TRIGGS