What Is a Resolution?

James H. Cagle

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:13, 14).

We often attempt to accomplish something in only a halfhearted or haphazard way, without the focus, sincerity and seriousness necessary for reaching our goal.  We make repeated attempts for reaching the goal but because our will power or resolve are weak, victory is never won.

We know our dreams and God given potential will never be realized if we don’t become truly resolute, and discipline ourselves and stretch ourselves and rise out of the pit of bondage into the glorious light of freedom.

But so often the resolve we supposedly possess and exemplify can hardly be called resolve because there is no correlation between our so-called resolve and the dictionary’s definition.  To define resolve the dictionary uses words and phrases like, “having the mind made up”; “fixedness of purpose”; “boldly determined”; and “unshaken firmness.”  That hardly describes most who say they’ve made some new years resolution.

Every new year we set our resolve and make our resolutions because we have a whole year without any mistakes or failures in it, lying fresh before us and we want to begin it with change.  Besides, who ever heard of a midyear resolution? The fact that we can wait till the new year to start working on change shows we’re not serious about change.

And then there are those who never make new year resolutions because they remain resolute, committed, focused, and disciplined every day all year long.  Their hand is steady on the helm and their sails are full as they steadily cut across the sea of time.  If by some reason they get off the course they immediately make whatever adjustments are necessary to stay on course.

We would actually be doing ourselves a favor if we first counted the cost for accomplishing anything that we set out to do, including some new years resolution.  And then ask ourselves if we’re willing to pay the price in order to realize our goal?

If we know we won’t pay the price for success why kid ourselves and set out on what will surely end in another failure?

So what is a resolution?  It’s forgetting past failures and with our mind made up with fixedness of purpose, and bold determination, and unshaken firmness, and willingness to pay the price for success, commit ourselves to doing something we alone can do and seeing it through to the end.

Any resolutions that do not call in the use of the deeper elements of our being and their development are resolutions that aren’t worth making.  The resolutions we make should stretch us, and change us, and help change our world.

“All great accomplishments are built upon the foundation of sacrifice.” – Anon.

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A New Years Poem

Lord Here I stand at this year’s close

And by Thy Grace face a new year

That’s unsullied by one mistake

Or by one heartache or one tear

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Last year is gone, I can’t go back

Nor can I guess what might have been

It’s history that I cannot erase,

But look ahead for crowns to win

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Now with trepidation so keen

I face the dark this New Year holds

But trust in God’s unfailing love

To be there as the year unfolds

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I’ve only to obey God’s Word

And rest in Christ my Lord and Friend

For God has guided me thus far

And will be faithful to the end

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Today I stand at the threshold

At the dawning of a new year

And by God’s grace when it is spent

I’ll not weep o’er a wasted year

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I pass into this New Year Lord

Planning to live each day for you

Certain of your presence so near

Helping me in everything I do

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So help me in this coming year

To greet each day with faith in thee,

Guide me through till this year’s end,

That others may see Christ Jesus in me.

James H. Cagle