Let us commit to change for the better

By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Happy New Year!

The word “year” in Hebrew is shanah. It has three meanings in the original root word:

1. Division of time

2. To repeat, do the same

3. To change, alter

Will this 2018 be just a passing of time? Will the coming year be just a repetition of the past years? Or will 2018 be a year when we will change for the better?

We would often hear the word change. It is so broad that the one who wants to change does not know where to begin. For those who profess to be Christians, the answer is straightforward: We want to be like Jesus. Like Paul, we too should say “imitate me as I imitate Christ.”

If we want to pattern our lives to that of Jesus, then we need to see the pattern. Where can we see this pattern? The Bible. If this is so, then the resolution to change and to pattern our lives to that of Jesus involves our commitment to read the Bible and reflect on what is written there. The ethical question WWJD—What Would Jesus Do—can be answered if we read and understand the Bible.

If reading the Bible is not yet in your New Year’s resolution, then please put it there and start reading. When you make a reflection, start asking questions about what God wants to change in your life through the passages that you have read. Pray for it and ask for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In doing so, you have made a commitment to change for the better. The Greek word “power” in relation to the Holy Spirit is dunamis which means “able” and “can do.” This tells us that when the Holy Spirit empowers us, we are able to do the things that we thought we were not able to do. Our mentality of “I can’t” is changed to “I can.”

This year should not just be a passing of time or a repetition of the last year but a commitment to change and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Happy New Year everyone from the CPU Office of Communications!