Dear Evergreen family,
Did you know that New Year’s resolutions are historically a Methodist thing? Well, let me rephrase that a little. It is traditional for Methodists to make a New Year’s resolution (singular).
You see, part of the revival movement in the 1700s called Methodism included this event that happened in January each year. It was called the Covenant Service. It was a chance for all Christians involved in the Methodist renewal movement (Methodism was not a separate Church yet) to promise, once again, to live for Jesus Christ—the one who lives for us. It was one important way to set the tone for the year. It reminded the people who they were and whose they were.
The importance of this Covenant Service has not diminished one bit. Is your faith a little “at sea” these days? There’s no shame in that. However, a solid recommitment to Christ may be just what the doctor ordered. Let’s, in our own way, pledge ourselves to Christ all over again. Let’s pledge to serve God through the church all over again. Let’s make that firm. I’m right alongside you.
To help us, here’s the most well-known prayer from that Methodist Covenant Service. I’m going to take some time to pray this, slowly and mindfully, each day for the rest of January. Will you join me in this act?
Here’s the prayer:
“I am not my own. I am Yours alone. Make me into what You will. Rank me with those You will. Put me to use for You. Put me to suffering for You. Let me be employed for You. Let me be laid aside for You. Let me be lifted high for You. Let me be brought low for You. Let me be full or let me be empty. Let me have all things or let me have nothing. With a willing heart, I freely give everything to Your pleasure and disposal.”
May God bless us all.
Your Fellow Minister in Christ,
Mark