What does a New Year’s resolution mean to you? Are you trying to change your lifestyle or appearance by losing weight? Or trying to enjoy life more by learning a new language or seeing more sunrises?
In a previous blog, we shared a simple yet powerful idea: if you read just two pages of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, each day, you’ll complete the entire book by the end of the year. Committing to a thought-provoking book that can inspire and transform your life is a meaningful New Year’s resolution.
But here’s a surprising resolution you might not have considered—one that applies to people of all faiths. It comes straight from the Bible and offers timeless wisdom for the year ahead.
Take Up the Cross
Jesus called upon his followers to “take up the cross,” but what does this mean? Taking up the cross is another way of saying take up Jesus’ mission. Mary Baker Eddy, the author of Science and Health, defines this as,
His mission was to reveal the Science of celestial being, to prove what God is and what He does for man.
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 26:16
A resolution to “take up the cross” means following Jesus by expressing love, listening for God’s guidance, living your own life in a way that reflects God’s qualities, and avoiding things that offer only superficial happiness, whether through actions or possessions. This year, we can resolve to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by focusing on the spiritual – on what brings true joy.
Go Forth with Honest Hearts
It is important that we approach our actions without selfish or harmful intent.
We must resolve to take up the cross, and go forth with honest hearts to work and watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love.
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 15:18-20
When we resolve to make decisions with honest hearts, we can move forward, trusting that God will guide us and make any necessary course corrections.
Work and Watch for “wisdom, Truth, and Love“
Our heartfelt actions and decisions are important for a fulfilling life, but we are also asked to “watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love.” In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, capital Truth and Love are used as synonyms for God. We can resolve to be on the lookout for the reflections of Truth and Love in the world and in those around us. Once you start recognizing these qualities in others, they become easier to see, and it becomes easier to take up the cross and move forward with an honest heart. A New Year’s resolution might be to look for and appreciate wise, truthful, and loving qualities in those around us even when it seems difficult.
Always Able to Start Over
Making good resolutions at any time can help us become better human beings. We must also be committed to getting back on track if necessary as the year goes on. Don’t worry if you forget or make a mistake. It is never too late to get back on the right path if you focus on doing what is right and loving. We can always look to God to guide us, and we can move forward with confidence that what we are doing is compassionate and just.
They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Psalms 145:7–9
It warms our hearts to see all of the good that is happening right here, right now. For example, the people of Los Angeles and all over the United States and the world are expressing great love and compassion for others and for animals, too, in the aftermath of the California fires.
Resources
If you would like to read the healing textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, visit any Christian Science Church or Reading Room, or shop online.
