The Defective Resolution Robot

Resolutions. It seems like each new year a fresh round of them bombard our social media feeds. They are usually pretty typical: losing weight, getting fit, eating better, quitting smoking, traveling more, and the list goes on and on. But three months down the road if you happen to meet up with those people, where have their “resolutions” gone? Have they lost any weight? Are they still actively exercising? Did those dreams of traveling to Acapulco get side-swiped by the reality of their job or family obligations? It’s as if all of their cookie-cutter resolutions were spewed out by a defective resolution robot.

The term “resolution” is an interesting one, stemming from the root “resolute”, which according to Dictionary.com means:

Firmly resolved or determined, set in purpose or opinion.

Does that sound like what we do every year? Or does it seem like what that should really say is “temporarily resolved”?

(Side note: If our forefathers had been as “resolute” as we are to free the colonies, I’m afraid we’d all still be under England. And we’d have lost the second World War. Everything would be different. But because a few people stood firmly “set in purpose and opinion”, we can enjoy the freedom that we have today. Our “resolutions” can’t even hold a candle to that. We’re not even in the same league.)

There are moments in the Bible where people were called upon to show resolve. A few examples would be Moses during the battle where he had to keep his hands raised in order for Israel to prevail and Daniel when he had the choice between obeying the law and obeying God. Most of us will not be asked to do anything as difficult as that. And why would we need to? So far no one has asked me to use my super muscular (okay, not so muscular) arms to bring about the outcome of a war. No one has threatened me with flesh-eating beasts either.

So what, as Believers, are we called to be “resolute” about?

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1Corinthians 15:58

“Stand firm”- i.e. be resolute. Resolve to stand in your faith no matter what happens this year. Resolve to stand against sin. Resolve to be more like Jesus even as you wait for His coming. Resolve to be used of the Lord and “labor in the Lord”, for His glory. Resolve to be the soldier He is asking you to be.

Making resolutions about your health or where you want to be by this time next year are all well and good, but they’re what everyone is proposing- and often failing- to do. My encouragement to you and to myself- step out of the mold this year. Put the robot back in the closet where it belongs. Instead, turn to Jesus to help you keep the ultimate resolution, one that’s worth fighting for.

Stand firm. Be resolute.