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 necessary seriousnees for accomplishing our goal. We make repeated attempts to reach the goal, but because our willpower or resolve is weak, victory is never won.
We know our dreams and God-given potential will never be realized if they are not truly resolved by disciplining and stretching ourselves to rise out of the pit of bondage into the glorious light of freedom.
But so often, the determination 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 of it. 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 have made some new year’s 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 until the new year to start working on improvements shows we are not serious about change.
And then there are those who never make new year’s resolutions because they remain resolute, committed, focused, and disciplined 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, for some reason, they get off the course, they immediately make whatever adjustments are necessary to get back on track.
We would actually be doing ourselves a favor if we first counted the cost for achieving anything that we set out to accomplish, including a new year’s 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 deceive ourselves by setting out on what will surely end in another failure?
So, what is a resolution? It is forgetting past failures with our focus on a fixed purpose using bold determination, unshaken firmness, and a willingness to pay the price for success. We have to commit ourselves to work on something we, along with God’s grace, can see through to completion.
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, change us, and help change our world.
“All great accomplishments are built upon the foundation of sacrifice.” – Anonymous
