"Nothing Changes on New Year's Day"

The title (as readers of a certain age will know) is a line from the song by U2 "New Year's Day". My senior pastor used it for his homily yesterday, and it got me thinking of how true this statement really is. Many resolutions are made and then go undone, the world keeps spinning in the same way that it always has, no real progress is made on global warming or many other social ills, the political and governmental processes remain broken and unwholesome. Yet, other more positive things remain the same as well such as the work done by Charity Water and other NGO's, the tireless work of volunteers that support so many needed projects, the role of faith communities in helping the least and the lost. It certainly is good that these things don't change on New Year's Day. It doesn't have to be this way (the lack of change) - we all know that. Change is difficult and demanding, we're likely to get ridiculed for stepping out of line with some of our non-worldy viewpoints. Case-in-point, Tim Tebow. Here is a young man who was very successful in college football, yet went undrafted due to concerns about his ability to play well in the NFL. He's worked very hard at his craft and has had a very successful rookie season. Even though he is making the usual rookie mistakes, it's a very positive experience. The world has noticed that he is a very prayerful person and has taken his prayer stance ("Tebowing") and made a pardoy and a mockery of it. I've seen it in my own teenagers and I've pointed out their judgemental behaviors of a person who believes enough to show others what is most important. It has been a good learning opportunity however, for me to show my sons how the world views religion and religious people. Those who stand up for their beliefs are ridiculed - it has always been this way. Does it have to always be this way? We have a new year to play with, 12 months to do something amazing! What is it that you will change this year to make your part of the world a bit better? We at Possibilities Journey Inc. will be working to improve the health and wellness of communities by linking faith communities and health care. We believe that this model of wholeness will return us to a state of shalom. We invite you to join us on this journey, or to let us help you with you personal change. Indeed, change can come on New Year's Day, we just have to have the fortitude and commitment to see it through together. Peace for the journey, Dan