At the turn of the new year, it is the time to think about resolutions, or things that we want to change in our lives. In this sermon, we learn about four exercises that will bring real change, the kind of change that will impact every aspect of our lives. 
This is the time when we typically make resolutions regarding how we will change our lives. But statistics show that very few actually change anything.
Why don’t resolutions work? One of the reasons they doing world is related to the story that shapes the way we live. Self story. If we want to change our actions, we must change our self story. We tell ourselves stories that shape our actions. For instance, if you eat unhealthy foods, you most like tell yourself a story that you are, in fact an unhealthy eater. And this story operates without your conscious knowledge. These stories tell us what we believe to be true about ourselves and the world.
Our life story is related to the everydayness of our life, the sleeping, eating, working, and relating that we do without fanfare or flair. In this new year, we need exercises that will shape our everyday story. In this sermons, Sandra introduces four such exercises.
The first exercise is Sit Down. Matthew 11:28-29 records the words of Jesus telling us to come to him and rest. This is about sitting in stillness, instead of trying to accomplish things. This also applies to our sleep patterns. We are created to rest and get the appropriate amount of sleep.
The second exercise is Shut Up. James 3:5-8 speaks about the evil nature of the tongue. Instead of speaking, we need to learn to listen, to lean in, and seek to understand what others are saying.
The third exercise is Stand Up. James 1:22-24 addresses the importance of being doers of the word. This is not about doing works in our own efforts. We are called to do God’s work by God’s power.
The fourth exercise is Speak Out. Proverbs 31:8-9 challenges us to use our voice for the sake of those who are powerless and have no voice. We speak up “with” those in need, that is, we do it in relationship with or alongside them. This stands in contrast to speaking up “at” others.
Some are better at the first two, while others are thrive on the second two. We must all learn the balance of all four in order to grow in what God has for our lives.
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