Resolutions!

Resolute - "Marked by firm determination"

Resolution - "Firmness of resolve"

I had to laugh at this starling this morning...

Resolutely, he tried again and again to gain entrance into the bird house...

Because it was built for a bluebird, his size would not allow him entrance

.

The mate left the scene and scrambled for leftovers under my birdfeeder.

Meanwhile, the goldfinches appeared to have resolved to devour all my peach blossoms...

Resolutions can be powerful things.

This verse from Luke 9:51 caught my eye this morning,

"Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem".

Then a few verses later when speaking of the opposition that Jesus felt,

Luke 9:53 says, "the people there did not welcome Him,

because He was heading to Jerusalem."

Was Jesus thinking of His resolve to accomplish our salvation when He said in Luke 9:62,

"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God"?

An old hymn that I hadn't thought of in years came to my mind

as I thought about the words resolute, resolution, and resolve.

It was written by Palmer Hartsough, who lived from 1844-1932.

I AM RESOLVED

I am resolved no longer to linger, Charmed by the world's delight;

Things that are higher, things that are nobler, These have allured by sight.

 I am resolved to go to the Saviour, Leaving my sin and strife;

He is the true One, He is the just One, He hath the words of life.

I am resolved to follow the Saviour, Faithful and true each day;

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth, He is the living way.

I am resolved to enter the Kingdom, Leaving the paths of sin;

Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me, Still will I enter in.

I will hasten to Him, Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, Greatest, Highest, I will come to Thee.

Someone that demonstrates great resolve to me is my nephew Joel.

In his fight against glioblastoma brain cancer, 

he and his wife Codie have resolved to give God the glory no matter what.

Seeing their bravery and faith in action has stirred up my resolve

to be more faithful than ever in praying for his recovery.

How about you?

It doesn't have to be New Year's to make a resolution!