I'm not usually one to set new year's resolutions. I set goals that I can take seriously, but I don't like the expectation of setting yourself up for what seems to be obvious disappointment. I also don't agree with the idea that we have to wait for a new year to be committed to ideals that are meant to better us all the time. But I'm contemplative today, and curious, so I decided to give this more thought.

The definition of "resolution" means literally to "resolve" or "be resolved." Not only does a resolution require action, it takes commitment and follow through.

For me, the point being to strive daily to be better, do more, grow closer to the Lord, and stand firm in my walk in an effort toward resolving who I am in Christ. Oh, how I've fallen short.

I like the idea of a new year and a new beginning, so it makes sens that resolutions are set. But what usually seems to happen is I start out strong with good intentions. And then life happens. It's not that I don't want to follow through, it's simply that I become distracted. Other things get in the way.

I missed something in reading hte definition of resolution...it also includes "the act or process of resolving."

This is encouraging to me because in pursuit of reaching my goal, the journey towards it is a part of the process. That means that even the failures, even my mistakes, even my inconsistencies and distractions are part of the pursuit toward resolution.

"At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God's grace tends to be lessenced by the memory of yesterday's sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future." - Oswald Chambers

It's easy for me to get discouraged by my lack of follow through in my past. When I fall short, I not only feel inadequate of His grace but its value in my life isn't fully embraced because it's overshadowed by my remorse over my insufficiencies.

Realizing He embraces my failures and my past and turns them into a breeding ground for my own growth and development, I can more clearly see that this is - in fact - all a part of the process.

So my new year's resolution is simply this: resolving past resolutions that I've left untouched, unifnished, unaccounted for all in an effort toward my pursuit of growing and living in Him.

"Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him." - O. Chambers

May your new year be blessed and full as you seek to resolve your own resolutions, enjoying and enduring the process as part of the pursuit of your own journey.

Happy New Year!