New Year Resolution

New Year’s Resolution: How Should I Live in the New Year?

I asked the nurse at the dentist the day before last Friday, "Do you have any plans or resolutions for the new year?" I answered that I hadn't really thought about it, but I was trying to lose some weight. So, did you have any special resolutions for this year? I'm also trying to lose some weight.

There are many people who live their lives without thinking or planning. Of course, there are times when life is so tiring, difficult, and busy that we don't have time to think, plan, and make decisions. However, people who excel at something usually live their lives diligently, planning thoroughly and putting those plans into practice.

But can we say that we have lived a successful life if we become outstanding people simply by thoroughly planning our lives and working hard? There is a saying that direction is more important than speed. Koreans value speed greatly. In a short period of time, South Korea transitioned from being one of the poorest countries to becoming one of the richest. However, the problem is that it now has the highest suicide rate. According to statistics from 2019 to 2021, life satisfaction ranked 36th out of 38 OECD countries. Doesn’t this mean that even if you work harder than others, sacrificing sleep to reach your destination, it doesn’t guarantee true satisfaction?

I have heard many times about people who went through all kinds of hardships to obtain a doctoral degree, only to feel a sense of emptiness afterward. Even though you plan and work harder than others to become a famous actor, businessman, politician, or professor, it does not necessarily bring true satisfaction. In fact, some people who achieve great success live unhappier lives than ordinary people, sometimes even committing suicide due to feelings of despair. In the end, such achievements cannot be the ultimate purpose of life.

It is important for us to make New Year’s resolutions every year and to live diligently, but what is even more important is the direction of our lives and our ultimate purpose. So, what is the question we should ask ourselves? This is because becoming a doctor, an intellectual, a famous actor, a respected politician, or a wealthy businessman cannot be the final goal of life.

Hugh Moorhead, a philosophy professor at Northeastern Illinois University, sent letters to 250 of the world’s most famous intellectuals—philosophers, scientists, writers, and other thinkers—asking the question, "What is the meaning of life?" and published their responses in a book. Some wrote down their best guesses about life’s purpose, while others admitted they only created a purpose after being asked. Some honestly said they had no idea, and many asked Professor Moorhead to reply if he knew the answer.

However, when I was 19 years old, I accepted Jesus as the Lord and Savior of my life, and I clearly understood my purpose. Since December 1974, I have lived according to that purpose, and I know I will continue to do so until I stand before the Lord. But why didn’t the world’s brightest minds, with far superior intellect, knowledge, experience, and wisdom, know the purpose of life?

Pastor Rick Warren explains: “Human purpose is not something humans decide for themselves or even discover on their own. The reason is that we are not beings born of our own will but creatures created by someone else.” Anything created, be it a car or a computer, has a purpose known by its creator. Similarly, the purpose of human existence is determined and known by the Creator. Just as we learn the purpose of cars, computers, and electronic devices through their manuals, we, as creatures, can understand our purpose through the manual written by God—the Bible.

So, what is the purpose of humanity according to the Bible? It can be summarized in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. These standards guide a successful life and form the basis for judgment.

Conclusion

Do you want to know your life’s purpose and live according to it? Remember, love does not originate from ourselves. We love because He first loved us. Therefore, accept God’s love first. The one who has received that love must also extend it to others by accepting Jesus.

Do you already know your purpose but are not living it? I pray in the name of Jesus that you will reflect on your life, make a new decision, and become someone who loves God more, loves your neighbors more, and helps others to do the same this year. May you walk in God’s purpose and share His love, in the name of Jesus.