This is the time for resolutions. We all sit making our impossible lists of achievements for the upcoming new year: to lose weight, to be more productive, to gain more financial security, more professional success, more relational acumen.
I once heard the saying that the difference between an idea and a goal is a deadline. Time – the management of our time – and the fresh promise that somehow we will have more of it, and we will use it more wisely, appeals to us like a shiny new penny in the path of another year ahead.
Achieve, Achieve, Achieve. It’s like the famous real estate mantra: location, location, location. Only the space has to do with a different realm of living. The space of our lives, the house of our hearts. Resolutions almost always seem set on what we can achieve, accomplish, do.
But what of the One Great Thing that has already been done for us? What of the cry on the cross of our crucified Lord, “It is finished”? What of Psalm 22’s final claim, “for He has done it”? (NIV).
What of God’s resolve for us?
As we go forward in the next year, trying with all our mortal might to transform ideas into goals and then, goals into realities, it would behoove us, I think, to remember what is really Real. The true Real Estate beneath our feet … the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom Within (Luke 17:21). And that God has already purchased this reality for us, this place in His presence forever. Like the moment He has just given you to even read these words: something that cannot be taken away from you, reduced, or lessened in value, or “unread”. Rather, something that can only be restored, through your faith in Him, because He has made His resolution long, long before any of us ever wrote pithy lists of our own.
God’s Resolution for each of us is not just for a new year, but a New Life.
Because He fulfilled His resolution with His own flesh and blood. Because His Word is restorative beyond all our understanding – a Love that falls beyond the margins of our lists. The movement from womb to tomb, conception to epiphany, death to resurrection … quite the ambitious list. And yet everything on it has been crossed off (if you pardon the pun) and burned in our hearts, even the most doubting ones, for us to see.
Because, through God’s Resolution for His beloved people, it is finished and it is good.
As a result, we have the privilege and the power and the joy immeasurable of leaning into it, trusting it, and living it, every day of our new year, and beyond.
Lover of God, professor of literature and author of 
Since we have the promise of His constant presence, I resolve to be aware of and draw on it through my days. Being of a visual nature, I picture Him holding my left hand with His right hand (Isaiah 41:10) to remind me to draw on His power to do the right thing in whatever circumstance.
Love your book and the story of your journey to redemption. I gave it to my daughter-in-law for Christmas. Please keep writing!
Thank you, Jacque! What a great resolve- I am going to try, too, to be present in His presence. I love the image from Isaiah as well. Just looked it up and re-read it. Beautiful. Thank you. I will share it with my children later today – my 3 yr old twin boys are really into tracing their hands lately. This would be the perfect tie-in craft to help build their hearts :) Hope your daughter-in-love (that’s what my dad-in-law calls his girls :) enjoys the book. Happy New Year!
Always enjoy seeing that you’ve posted something here, Carolyn. Hope your holidays were rich and by some miracle, even restful. I’ll drop you an email one day soon – after I get through this next week. Love to you and the fam.
Thanks so much, Diana! Look forward to a longer email chat. Happy New year!
Happy New Year to you Carolyn (& crew). It was good NOT to be in the ER with you this New Year’s Eve! I hope your health is well and you are in the place God wants you all to be. Know that we all miss your energy-filled family back here. Continue the adventure!
Thanks, Don! Funny, I was just thinking about that ER experience the other day as we were giving thanks for friends at the end of the new and beginning of the old … we are doing well, and full throttle into the adventure. Blessings!
Carolyn, Stu gave me your book a couple of weeks ago and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was “real” and I loved that. I have been a christian for the majority of my life (since 5) and I so take things and the Lord for granted. I needed to be reminded of joy and grace. I want to live the questions and to have patience with myself. I thiek your dialog with the Deveaux’s was my favorite!
It was also fun to be able to picture the faces of the folks from Boring!
Thank you for writing this book and also for sparking an interest in my heart for the “Classics”!
Bless you sister, Jady (Moses) Chase
Some day in heaven I would like to sit and have tea with you and discuss lots and lots of literature! Jady:)
Thank you for writing, Jady! As you well know, “Boring” folks are very dear to me :) May God bless you as you live out the questions. Happy new year!