RIP 2021

We come to the end of 2021. It seems like every year we have this unreasonable expectation that the new year is going to be so much better than the last year. But what exactly is that based on? Just because we get a new calendar for the wall (if you still do that), does not equate to significant change of any kind for anything. All it means that you have a new calendar.

And by the end of the year we realize that those unrealistic expectations we set at the beginning of the year did not come to pass. Do we think that things will just change because we wanted them to without doing anything to make those changes happen? That’s not realistic.

Change happens because someone acts. Serious change happens when more than one person acts. System change happens when enough people act to change a culture.

In all of this, people have to do something to make a change actually work.

So what changes do you want to see happen in 2022? And what are you committed to doing differently to make that happen? Are you willing to talk to others to see who else will get on board?

The bigger the change that you are seeking, the more people you will need to get on board. Small change requires small actions.

So here’s my hope for 2022 and the changes I’m committed to seeing happen.

My hope for 2022 is that partisanship loses its death grip on people.

My hope for 2022 is that Christians act Christ like.

My hope for 2022 is that we take stewardship of the earth seriously.

My hope for 2022 is that we answer Jesus’ call to care for those in poverty and that we work to end abuse.

My hope for 2022 is that we actually try peace, instead of resorting to violence to solve our problems.

My hope for 2022 is that people get vaccinated and do what they can to show care for their fellow human being.

My hope for 2022 is that we set aside the idolatry of being right and instead take up the cause of being a good neighbor.

Here’s what I’m committed to doing this year:

• I’m going to run a half marathon.
• I’m going to get a book published.
• I’m going to get at least one family/person out of homelessness and into a home.
• I’m going to feed the hungry.
• I’m going to advocate for policies that care for the poor and work to lift people out of poverty.
• I’m going to pray more – for enemies, for friends, for family, for leaders, for peace

What are you hoping for? What are you committed to doing?