What resolutions really are, and why they’re not just for a new year …

Someone once told a story about a young man named Bill who called his parents to wish them a happy New Year. His father answered the telephone and Bill asked, “Well, Dad, what’s your New Year’s resolution?”

“To make your mother as happy as I can all year,” his dad answered.

When his mother got on the phone, Bill said, “What’s your resolution, Mom?”

She answered, “To see that your dad keeps his New Year’s resolution.”

No, this is not a blog post about New Year resolutions (you’re welcome!) but it IS a post about resolutions, and there’s often a significant difference.

The resolutions many make on the brink of a new year often are made because “we’re supposed to make resolutions for the new year,” and often are not deeply heartfelt, “soul-deep” resolutions for change.

But they usually are a flicker of some level of desire for change.

Back in 2015, an unidentified person wrote:

New Year’s resolutions — is there no end to them?

Here on the cusp of the celebration of New Year’s 2015, a simple Google search of the term turned up “About 65,300,000 results.” There are more than 65 million (yes, million!) articles, blogs, posts, sites, etc. dedicated to the subject.

I’m no statistician, but I would say this amounts to statistical proof that people long to change.

But throughout our lives, we experience many “resolution-like” thoughts about change, largely because while the idea of change at times can be somewhat appealing, the work or cost involved isn’t, or at least isn’t appealing enough.

However, we often are willing to apply ourselves to real change when we make a real resolution — when we genuinely resolve to do what is necessary on our part for specific change to occur. So, a better way of understanding what a “resolution” is, is this: finally coming to terms with yourself.

That can happen at any time and on any day, you don’t have to wait for a new year to steel your resolve to the point you’re ready to come to terms with yourself — you know you need to make a change, or commit wholeheartedly to something, and you’re finally ready to pay whatever the cost is to make a resolution.

That resolution doesn’t have to be for a year. Someone once stated, “I think in terms of the day’s resolutions, not the years.”

Sometimes, we need to gather enough resolve to face today’s challenges, and by doing so we’re able to push through.

Throughout history — and throughout the Bible — we see men and women who resolved (made resolutions) to do something or to change; some kept their resolutions for good outcomes, and others failed miserably. But by making a resolution, these men and women gave a serious focus and turn of direction to their lives. Examples from the Bible of people resolving themselves to something include:

Joshua – In Joshua 24:14-15 we read one of the most famous of resolutions. After challenging the Israelites to resolve (make a resolution) to serve the Lord, Joshua states his own resolution:

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Daniel – When Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and defeated King Jehoiakim of Judah, in the aftermath of that victory Nebuchadnezzar “…ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives” (Dan. 1:3). Daniel was one of those captives, yet he was to be treated well as part of an attempt to immerse him in Babylonian culture, all to try to change both his identity and his loyalty. Part of that special treatment was “… The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens …” (Dan. 1:5a), but that meant eating food forbidden for Jews according to their dietary laws. Daniel resolved (made a resolution) that he would not defile himself:

“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods,” Daniel 1:8.

Job – Job resolved (made a resolution) to not allow himself to lust after women:

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman,” Job 31:1.

King David – In the Psalms, David often expresses his resolutions and commitments to God. For instance, in Psalm 101, he resolves to live a blameless life and to have nothing to do with evil. He also commits to various actions, such as not setting anything wicked before his eyes:

“I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. I will be careful to live a blameless life — when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip,” Psalm 101:1-8.

The Israelites – On several occasions, the Israelites made resolutions to follow God and His commandments. However, they often falter and turn away from God. One notable instance is when they renew the covenant with God under Joshua’s leadership at Shechem, where they commit to serving and obeying God.

Zacchaeus – After encountering Jesus, Zacchaeus, a tax collector, resolved to change his ways:

“Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. ‘Zacchaeus!’ he said. ‘Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.’ Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. ‘He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,’ they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!'” Luke 19:1-8.

The Apostle Paul – When Paul resolved (made a resolution) to stop depending on himself and instead rely on God, he discovered the rescuing power and grace of God:

“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead,” 2 Corinthians 1:8-9.

When you’re not just wishing, but finally come to terms with yourself, you can make a real resolution that you’re far more likely to keep. And you can do that any time, not just on New Year’s Day.

What kind of resolve do you have for the new year?

Scotty