By David Wray

Marilyn always wished for more discipline in her life. Failed diets, inadequate exercise, procrastination, and impulsive purchases constantly discouraged her. On New Year’s Eve 2023, she joined about one-third of Americans making resolutions. Marilyn committed to eating better, regular work outs, saving more, and reducing screen time. Unfortunately, she abandoned the resolutions after only a few weeks (statically 23 percent quit in a week, and 43 percent by the end of January). Because she deserted her promises so quickly, she began wondering about the origins of such an impractical exercise that usually ends in disappointment and dismal failure. 

Marilyn decided that a Google search could provide answers to her New Year’s resolutions question. Her search furnished information that perhaps Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions. Thousands of years ago, they celebrated the new year in mid-March after their crops were planted. They made promises to clear up debts and return borrowed items. She learned that their promises were probably antecedents to contemporary New Year’s resolutions. Babylonians believed if they kept their resolutions their pagan gods would reward and bless them in the coming year. Broken promises, on the other hand, could result in falling out of favor with deity. Unfortunate circumstances might follow. Marilyn wondered briefly if consequences might plague her because of failing to keep her New Year’s resolutions. 

During her online search, she observed that early disciples of Jesus were often characterized by introspectiveness. She was surprised that 1^st Century Christians dedicated each new year to reflection on past mistakes and prayer for greater purity and holiness in the coming year. 

She read about her own tradition of Methodism; John Wesley established a New Year’s Eve Covenant Renewal Service in the 18^th Century. This “night watch service” provided an alternative to boisterous pagan new year celebrations. Wesley’s gatherings included scripture, singing, introspection, prayer, and resolutions. Marilyn was pleased that this tradition continues in 21^st Century African congregations. In addition to worshipping, they personally and corporately make spiritual commitments to serve God faithfully in the coming year.  

After reading how Christians have historically sought more discipline by  imitating the practices of Jesus, Marilyn resolved to regularly read the Gospels and contemplate on implications for her life. Her newfound practice of dwelling in the Word created a longing for greater compassion, worshipfulness, and prayer. Through additional reading she learned that Jesus’ virtues and practices are referred to in the 21^st Century as spiritual disciplines, spiritual practices, or habits of the heart. Marilyn began discerning that New Year’s resolutions might have some value, but deliberate and intentional spiritual disciplines are significantly more beneficial than making soon forgotten resolutions. 

Her newborn spiritual practices embraced daily spending time in solitude, silence, prayer, Scripture reading and contemplation. When she began this spiritual exercise, her mind filled with distractions and random thoughts. Over time, however, she discovered that quietening the noise in her head was possible, and a quiet time with God was a peaceful blessing.

Soon after her newfound commitment to spiritual practices, Marilyn discovered  an old book by Richard Foster, Celebration of Disciplines. To her surprise the four-decade old book sold 2 million copies and was translated into 25 languages. She realized that Foster’s principles went far beyond making New Year’s resolutions. She determined not only to continue practicing Foster’s inward disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting and study), she also committed to engaging in outward disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission, and service), and corporate disciplines (confession, worship, guidance, and celebration). She especially resonated with Foster’s wisdom urging readers to avoid making spiritual disciplines onerous obligations or quickly forgotten resolves. The thought crossed Marilyn’s mind, maybe I am not as disordered as I thought. Perhaps I have been looking for discipline in the wrong places. For a long time I needed structures and exercises to pursue a more disciplined life.

Marilyn found significant encouragement in knowing that spiritual disciplines are  purposeful and deliberate practices God uses to spiritually transform disciples. Through her reading and reflection, she became convinced that growing in Christlikeness was the ultimate resolution. She prayerfully determined that any future New Year’s resolutions will include frequent participation in both personal and communal spiritual disciplines, enhancing her attentiveness to the Holy Spirit’s role of daily cultivating Christlikeness in her life, and to strengthen her love for God and others. 

David Wray served for 20 years in congregational ministry before transitioning to teaching practical theology in ACU’s College of Biblical Studies.