New Year’s Resolutions
I (Wes) am not a guy who is known for New Year’s resolutions. Maybe I am lazy or maybe I just know that my resolve may run out after a couple of weeks, but I don’t give much thought to resolutions at all.
You are probably like me and don’t need another self imposed task to put on your mental to do list. Many times, all those things tend to do are remind us that we aren’t as put together as we think we should be.
Everyday Resolves
But, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have resolve. We resolve to wake up most days and do the little things we have to do to manage our lives. We resolve to put on deodorant (right?) and do the work we need to do that day. We resolve to pay our bills. We resolve to make sure we don’t drive the people around us crazy…or let them drive us crazy. Maybe we even resolve to read the Bible some and pray a little.
As important as each of those things is, they seem mundane, nothing profound. Nothing world changing, right?
God-Given Resolve
in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, Paul prays for his friends that God would “make [them] worthy of His calling and would fulfill every resolve for good…by his power.” That is my heart for you too…that the Lord would fulfill every God-given desire- for good- that you hold on to. No, he won’t fulfill everything we desire, but he loves to fulfill everything he places in our hearts for good!
So consider these things with me:
What are you resolved to do?
What are those things that are good that you have some inner determination to accomplish?
What are those things (mundane or not) that you are resolved to do that will only be fulfilled through a simple trust in Jesus and his power? (as opposed to a determined trust in ourself and our power)
2 Thessalonians 1:11–12
[11] To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)