Resolutions

Dear Reader,

Hello there, how are you doing? Well? I sincerely pray so. I feel like calling you ‘reader’ is kind of getting old. I should try spice it up or something. If you have any ideas I’m open to them. So, I’m writing to you this time concerning a topic most people fancy to talk about but few follow it up with action and implementation. That word ‘resolutions’. That term has been used countless times over the months of December and January. It is interesting the kind of approach people would give it especially you and I. It for sure has been for the longest time a petty one. Question is: what is ever meant to be taken seriously?

Often times we say stuff, do stuff and even think stuff and especially as Christians and never desire the Berean approach of things-to also infer if at all it is biblical. Let us set ground rules ok? What is the Bible? I presume your answer to be the word of God (1^st timothy 3:16). What is following commands of the Lord therein referred to as? Again my presumption is Obedience. What is the opposite of this? Disobedience which is also known as Sin, ok? So failure to do what God requires of us-it is agreed is Sin.

I will delve into a few scriptural references and state the truth and leave the rest to the leading of the Holy Spirit to conviction and repentance. A while back I came across the verse in scripture:

Lord teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom

-Psalm 90:12

It was quoted under slightly different circumstances but as I was praying it came to me as one of my petitions to God-when setting out my plan for this year. In the life of any professing Christian this reality should have hit home already. That very few are the days under this side of the sun as Solomon puts it. As such what would wisdom dictate? That our lives are made meaningful giving vain pleasures and pursuits a back seat and that we purpose to be good stewards living this life strategically. It is said as well that the hand of the diligent will always rule- I am convinced that this would mean that to succeed in life is to have a well thought out plan for where you are going. Only then will you fulfill the command of the Lord to be wise in living this life as is espoused in the words of “… the Teacher, son of David, King of Jerusalem…” in the book of Proverbs.

It is wisdom to come up with plans desiring something of this year than to have a vague if no idea at all where you are going. Matt Chandler says in one sermon that “he has never seen the sight people going like ‘we got problems; blind people have it easy…” in the same vein to have a plan is wise and I dare say Godly, not having one is not wise and sinful.

Another argument is in line with the verse:

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

-Proverbs 16:3

 Here also you see a precondition: you have to have a plan, otherwise what will you commit to God. My argument is this if you have nothing on your plate even the little you had will be taken away and given to him who has plenty (parable of the talents). If you have no plans how will God establish your purpose?

On another footing based on the same scriptural reference often times I, you and your friends may want to argue aren’t those plans man inspired, hence I would be leaning on my own understanding(Proverbs 3:5-6)? We would even want to throw in the verse that:

Many are plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails

-Proverbs 19:21

. It brings me to one thought alone: do you believe in the truth in Galatians 2:20 that Christ lives you…that you have a new life your mind and heart ordered by God? This effectively means that all that you do whether in thought or speech -when committed to God- is the purpose and will of God. Hence there is no excuse why not to set out your resolutions my friend.

Lastly I would like to talk to we who think that it doesn’t have to be put in writing simply because “I know them I can have them at the back of my mind”. There is a lot of power when you write things down. Much like the way you are wiser to utter prayers in a physical audible voice than to merely think them. My point is this: when they are written down they become much more than mere thoughts and or conjecture they become action, and we both agree that faith without action is dead. Have a nice and blessed time thinking up those resolutions but be wise to write them down as the Lord has commanded you to. The hardest part will be living them out but Christ says that His grace is sufficient for EVERY kind of need.

Yours,

Miguubeautiful.