New Beginnings

Newness & Renewal

For us as human beings, something “new” always brings with it a certain amount of excitement.  A new technology, a new gadget, a new car, a new home, a new job, even a new diet, all get us jazzed-up.  In the modern world, we have become newness junkies, always craving the next new thing.  The problems begin when the newness starts to wear off.  Suddenly, without any warning, new becomes old right before our very eyes.  This problem of perpetually discarding the used for the new is becoming prevalent in other areas of our life as well.  We create cycles of constantly starting over, feeding our newness addiction, and accomplishing nothing of substance.  In short, we have by and large lost the capacity to follow through on our commitments.  Our new beginnings become a perpetual cycle of dead ends, resulting in a slew of unfinished projects and unfulfilled commitments.

Make no mistake, new beginnings are important, if not essential, for us as human beings, particularly as spiritual people.  We see this most readily in the Sacrament of Confession, where we walk away from the Priest with a clean slate and a renewed commitment to Christ.  The power of this process however, is fully realized in the follow through to our Spiritual Father’s advice.  It is our concerted, consistent action that brings about profound changes and spiritual growth, not just listening to the Priest.  The same experience is felt by those who make a resolution to pray or read Scripture consistently every day, as we should be doing.  Once the newness wears off, how difficult it becomes to consistently follow through.  Our once rock-solid resolve crumbles into a sea of distractions, and we are left with another failed resolution, and all the feelings of guilt associated with such a disaster.

This of course, has profound implications for our Stewardship, financial and otherwise.  How we use our God-given Time, Talent, and Treasure is not immune from this newness phenomenon.  How often do we start off with great aspirations to attend Worship more frequently, and on time; get involved with an important ministry in our Parish; or give sacrificially on a weekly basis; but then after a very short period of time our enthusiasm wanes?  Stewardship, by its very nature, is meant to be a consistent and constant process.  Staying focused and committed however in today’s world of the all-powerful new is, to say the least, challenging.  Is it any wonder that so many people’s “stewardship” is simply a one-time offering?

A life of true Stewardship has the capacity to “renew,” not just be new, an important distinction.  This is why the commitment is so important up front.  Without a solid commitment, all hope is lost for the anticipated follow through!  The battle is over before it is even begun.  This is also why we as Orthodox Christians continually recommit ourselves to Christ.  We were Baptized once, but everything else the Church offers us is intended to either help us recommit, or follow through on that commitment.  This is why the Church asks us to recommit ourselves in terms of our Stewardship every year.  It is for our benefit, so that we may get the most out of our commitment, by being able to follow through with whatever God is calling us to do.  By doing so, we not only renew our commitment to Christ, but He renews our spiritual lives as well.  My sincere prayer is that as this New Year unfolds, you will renew your Stewardship commitment to Christ and His Church, and experience a newness of life, like never before!  Happy Renewal Year!  That’s My Two Cents!