Are You Resolved?

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Did you know that the Babylonians, at least four-thousand years ago, were the first ones to establish the habit of making yearly declarations of intent to change qualities about the way they conducted themselves (read: resolutions)? Later in history, the Roman Julius Caesar made a festival in an homage to the god Janus (a two-faced god who looked backward and forward), where the people would observe themselves and the ways they could improve in the new year.

Making resolutions for the new year is a tradition for most all Americans. In fact, turn on the TV, radio, or search news on the internet and you will see a host of articles “looking back on 2023” and “looking forward to 2024.” See if the local gyms aren’t promoting a “New Year, New You” challenge. See if the food companies aren’t capitalizing on all of the regret from the sweet treats (they sold to us) we consumed during the holidays. There is a sense where you close the books on not only an old year, but also an old you.

Resolutions remind me of and cause me to declare my own inadequacy. Those who make resolutions are making the statement, “I’m not as good, fit, disciplined, well-read, kind, patient, financially secure, etc. as I could be. Therefore, I look at this new year with the desire to be better than I am.” New Year’s Resolutions take a time we can look reflectively at ourselves as we were, compare ourselves with who we want to be, and positively declare that I desire to change.

For those desiring to be faithful Christians, a new year is not the only time we look at ourselves to see changes that need to be made. The apostle Paul, even though he was a skilled preacher, teacher, leader, mentor, missionary, and evangelist, still looked at himself and was always seeking ways to improve his service, not just one time a year, but every day (read Philippians 3:12-ff.). As one man said, “Christianity is not a religion of annual intention.” We daily desire to change to be more like our Master, Lord, and Teacher—Jesus Christ. That is our daily resolution. To be honest, when we are committed to it, it makes a difference in ALL those other areas we focus on this time of year! Or as Paul put it, “bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things” (1 Tim. 4:8). Happy New Year!