Each new year, some people make resolutions, some embark on modifying their behaviours or applying “feel-good” aphorisms, focusing on self improvement, but these changes only last for weeks or months. The question is why these changes don’t last?
Einstein describes “Insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” This is referring to old habits and thought patterns, taking the path of least resistance, staying in our comfort zones. This path mostly does not involve core changes that matter or the resolution to move beyond the fear zone or the pain barrier.
Matthew 9:16-17 puts it this way, “Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved”
One of the popular New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. Can we lose weight without making permanent changes in our poor eating habits? Can the new wine of a trimmer/fitter body poured into the old wineskin of established and ingrained poor eating patterns produce lasting results? Can new ideas poured into the old wine skin of procrastination bring about transformation? How many times have we purposed in our hearts with strong resolve that this would be the year we make this crucial change?
Let’s ask the Holy Spirt to reveal the unconscious barriers, help us to get rid of those old wine skin ideas that have blocked our progress for too long!
Happy New Year!
