Resolute!

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution in 2024? If so, how did you do?

Were you ‘resolute’?

Personally, I don’t get excited about New Year resolutions. However, when I was a school teacher I made resolutions prior to each school year. I guess it is not that important when a resolution is made. For some folks the end of calendar year is the end of a cycle. For others it might be some kind of cycle at work. For some, there are no regular cycles, but times of transition. These all seem to be popular and reasonable times to make resolutions.

Resolutions mark a beginning, and often an end. Looking forward to the future and anticipating better things, a resolution comes from a desire for change. It may be that you want to do something you have never done before. Or, you may have a desire to put negative habits or experiences in the past.

Resolutions come after genuine reflection. Naturally, the ending of some sort of cycle in life is a perfect time to reflect on the past and formulate future goals. In contrast, resolutions which are little more than passing whims or impulsive thoughts are the most difficult to keep.

Every year articles are written a month or two into the new year describing broken resolutions. Perhaps the broken resolutions are because many people are not resolute when making resolutions.

Are you familiar with the word resolute? According to Webster’s dictionary it means:

"Having or showing a fixed, firm purpose; determined; resolved; unwavering ."

Those are strong words. Each begs the use of ALL CAPS and an exclamation point for emphasis:

FIRM PURPOSE!

DETERMINED!

UNWAVERING!

A synonym for resolute is FAITHFUL.

Have you ever considered Christianity a resolution? Was your decision to follow Christ RESOLUTE!?

Resolution: God’s will, not mine.

He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." 

--Luke 22:41-42

Resolution: Die to self, Follow Jesus.

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” 

--Luke 9:23

Resolution: Living Sacrifice, Holy Sacrifice.

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 

--Romans 12:1-2

Whether you make a New Year’s resolution or not, be RESOLUTE in your commitment to Christ.

Mark Stinnett

December 29, 2024