Resolve
Every year I choose one word to sum up my focus in the upcoming year. It’s a guide toward what I want to accomplish in the days ahead.
In past years I’ve chosen words like courage, balance, and freedom.
This year I chose RESOLVE.
RESOLVE – (verb) to settle or find a solution or answer for.
At first this word made a lot of sense because I am determined to get some things dealt with this year. I have some spiritual habits I want to improve and a few sinful habits I want to eliminate. I also want to take care of some situations going on that feel like they are undone and dangling.
But then as I looked the word up in the dictionary to get a better understanding of it, I saw that the word has a second meaning.
It also means to be determined or committed to making something happen.
Reading that I realized this is actually the part of this word that I need to focus on: being committed.
The two definitions go hand-in-hand. I have to resolve or determine and commit to make things happen.
I have to resolve to resolve these issues.
While I was thinking about how it might play out this year I started praying about what my verse for the year should be.
The Holy Spirit reminded me of the verse which says:
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you, except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)
Clearly this is my theme verse for the year.
Found in the book of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul was talking to the Christians at Corinth. He was reminding them that it was because of Christ that they were who they were and that Christ is the one they should boast in, not themselves.
He was telling them that when he had previously come to see them, he had not come with a fancy message or sermon but rather with the demonstration of the Spirit’s power. He hadn’t come as a mighty one, but humbly.
Paul wanted them to understand his sole focus was Christ and His crucifixion.
He wanted to make sure their faith rested not on man’s wisdom but in God’s power. He wanted to make sure they understood that it was not about what they had done or were doing but about what God in Christ had done through them and for them out of love and mercy.
That was all that mattered – that Jesus was recognized as the One who had done all of these great things – not any man.
It was up to man to honor and glorify Christ alone for the accomplishments.
Paul made it clear that was all he cared about. He wasn’t interested in being a famous preacher or making a name for himself. He was only interested in sharing Christ and ensuring everyone properly followed and Honored Jesus.
This is a good reminder to me.
As I resolve to resolve things this year and commit to sorting through them, it is important I remember and understand it is not about me or anything I am doing.
It is about Christ and the Holy Spirit’s power working through me producing these good things.
Yes, I have a part to play. I must study my bible, be obedient to God, and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. I must also remember that without Christ I am powerless and helpless to do any of this.
I must also remember it is up to Jesus to show me which situation to work on and when. That it is up to Him to guide my steps and help me sort these things in an orderly manner. It’s nothing about what I think He should do.
Most of all, I must focus on the One who made these things possible and what He did for me.
“I resolve to know nothing … but Christ and Him Crucified.”
It is while I am focusing on Christ, His crucifixion, and trusting in the power the risen Christ has that these things will happen and fall into place.
I look forward to seeing what this year will hold and how things will sort out as I follow Him.
Please join me this year in choosing One word and share yours in the comments below.