Easier said than done....

The anticipation of the New year is now realized, it's 2010. You may have been looking forward to the time of the New year, telling yourself, "I'm going to finally make a change" or some other type of New Year's resolution self-pep-talk. That's okay, I really don't have a problem with that. The fact of the matter is, it's easier to be in a state of preparation and look forward to the event, than it is to live it out; or live up to the expectations. Tammy and I were at the gym last week as the guy behind the counter said most people join the gym, come for the first four or five days of the year, and they never see them again... that's a lot of looking forward to, and not following through.

This is the stuff life is made of. Life is filled with these huge bursts of anticipation, latter to be overwhelmed by disappointment. What we once looked forward to, now either fills us with dread, or anxiety. Doubt that? One word: Polls. Think about any President's approval ratings. Everyone of them is elected one day, only to be criticized the next.

Still doubt that? Consider how many years the Jews looked forward to the Messiah's appearance. Once Jesus showed up, they no longer had to look forward to His coming. But, no fault of His own, He wasn't what they were looking for, so they killed Him. Like I said, it's easier to look forward to an event than it is to experience it...

Still skeptical? Try this one out: If it is a material purchase, it eventually breaks down or wears out. If it is a person, they let us down. Sounds depressing, I know. Paul was aware of this concept when he wrote, "For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder." (II Cor 12:20, ESV)

I think the newness, the butterflies, the anticipation of waiting for whatever, usually outweighs the arrival of the reality. Now, this isn't always the case; an example being honeymoons or newborn babies. But, think about the big job that you dreamed of (or the promotion you sacrificed for) that once you moved into it, you quickly realized how much of what you hoped for was merely romanticized. How many times have you bought a tool, software, new shoes, or some gadget only to think you were ripped off? You bought a new computer, and by time you unpacked it, there's a faster better one out that's even cheaper than yours. You drive your new car off the lot, and it's deprecated $2000. You moved into your new home only to find there's a leak... and the carpet is the wrong color. There's a legal loophole written into the contracts of some mortgagees, it's called something like "Buyer's remorse". It's the clause that lets you off the hook, gets you out of buying your home within three or four days of signing the papers saying you are the new owner. I think that might apply to buying cars too?

Life doesn't come with a "buyer's remorse" clause or "reset button" so please make the most of 2010. Because, if you live through it, it will be over before you know it. In the blink of an eye this year too will fly by. Live this year with the least amount of regrets as possible. It will drive satan crazy, glorify God, and make you a healthier person.

Eph 5:15-16, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."