2014 The New Year

                “James... earn this. Earn it.”

                In the movie Saving Private Ryan,” as Capt. Miller (Tom Hanks) is about to die and these are the words that he speaks to Pvt. James Ryan.  Miller and his special squad have wandered all over Europe looking for Ryan so that they could get him out of the war.  Miller is the last member of that squad and is now dying as they are being rescued and Ryan is being saved.

                “James... earn this. Earn it.”

                I usually think about this sometime before the New Year.  As many of us are thinking of resolutions and about how to better ourselves over the next year, how do you decide what your resolutions should be? Are there just one or two things about our life that we need to better or are there hundreds? Do we only choose 1 or 2 because 98 would be too many to work on? I wonder if I have ever kept a resolution to the year’s end. I wonder if my resolutions do any good.  If it is worth keeping for one year isn't it worth keeping for life? 

                I have no illusions about my life.  I know that I cannot earn, or even attempt to be good enough to be worthy of what Jesus did for me. I know that His life was more worthy than all of humanity. I know (even though I don't  always understand it) grace.           

                But this time of year I always ask myself, “Can I do better?” & “How much better can I do?”

                As a minister? As a Christ-follower? As a father? As a husband? As a Friend? As a brother? As a Son? Can I do better as a preacher? Bible class teacher?

                What do you ask yourself? As the calendar changes, don't worry so much about resolutions, but ask some questions.  Evaluate where you are and where you would like to be.  Make a plan, and stick to it. 

               The end of the movie always sticks with me.

 As Ryan approaches the grave of Miller he says this, "My family is with me today. They wanted to come with me. To be honest with you, I wasn't sure how I'd feel coming back here. Every day I think about what you said to me that day on the bridge. And I've tried to live my life the best I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that at least in your eyes, I've earned what all of you have done for me."