talkin 'bout my resolution

I have never made a New Year's Resolution. However, I can see where people would be drawn to the practice. Our humanity is always seeking the "fresh start" or "clean slate." We know that we've got things about ourselves that we're not particularly fond of, and the new year grants a certain clemency from all that. For example, I have worked in the coffee industry for the past seven years, and January is always the slowest month, regardless of climate. I have a co-worker that proudly claims to have worked in the only cafe that has January as its busiest month -- they were adjacent to a gym.

Having worked in camp ministry, I got a front row seat to a similar phenomenon. Teens always arrived with the intent of absolving themselves of a year of sin, resolving to live without it in the future. They had roughly the same level of success as the New Year's resolution. Truth is, often we just want to feel better about ourselves...which isn't an altogether bad thing. It's just not a great enough motivation today to make the necessary changes for tomorrow.

I can recall one place in scripture where one was said to have "resolved" an outcome:

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way. (Daniel 1:8, NIV)

This is a common translation of the word in italics, but the KJV takes it a step further and states that Daniel "purposed it in his heart" not to defile himself.

I'm a Greek student, and I don't know a lick of Hebrew, so I couldn't tell you which is a more accurate description. But based on my experience (and my failure to follow through on that which I resolve), I give a lot more credence to Daniel "purposing" his intent in his heart.

This is yet another example of how difficult it is to follow our Father with our mind. We can decide how we would like to live, set up the appropriate physical safeguards, and wait for the spiritual battle to come to our doorstep. More often than not, we're going to fail. But isn't this how we've been taught to fight? The church tells us that if we stray far enough from our vices (or those who would tempt us), and make a personal decision to be strong, that we can defeat the enemy. Okay, how's that been working for y'all?

When did Christianity become so defensive? Are we that ill-equipped and expectant of failure, that the best we know to do is try again with the next blank slate? Yes, Christ's grace is sufficient for our sin, but when have we had enough of waiting for the enemy's next attack?

Rather, when I think of Daniel, I see a man who was already prepared for the battle. This wasn't a man that had to hope he was strong enough once he sat at the royal table. He didn't ask the official to set up a second room where he wouldn't have to smell the meat. His heart was geared towards holiness. Daniel was prepared for whatever the enemy could throw at him, because he was more motivated to serve the Lord than to merely absolve himself of guilt.

Christ gave us His Spirit so that we wouldn't have to be on the defensive. We have been given everyday, unveiled access to the King of Kings, to whom all the spiritual realm is subject. It is our intimacy with Him, and His pursuit of our heart that prepares us for the battle. Daniel did not make the decision that day to keep himself clean. He had granted his Father ownership of his heart, and anything that might separate him from his God could not be considered.

I want to challenge y'all to leave the resolutions to the timid. Our determination alone is insufficient to fight the spiritual battle. But take refuge in Christ, and purpose it in your heart to belong to Him. Spend those quieter moments getting to know Him and fall in love with His presense. He will be your strength and foundation, and you will serve Him boldly with joy, rather than having to convince yourself to "do the right thing" when you face your iniquity.