New Year’s Resolutions
February 1, 2008
by Tina Bruno
“Happy New Year!” Have we all heard that enough the last few months? I know I certainly have! It’s a wonderful sentiment, but did you cringe slightly each time you heard it? Why? Did it remind you of new beginnings and that dreaded word “resolutions”? Do you know where this came from? Let’s analyze the word:
Resolutions: Root word, resolve from the Latin resolvere. According to Merriam-Webster, it’s the act or process of resolving, as:a) the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones.b) the act of answering.c) the act of determining. For our purposes, I believe the last definition fits the best, determining. If you look for synonyms to the word resolution, determination is one of them. So what is your determination for the new year? Determined not to have any? That is a response many have had!!
How about a resolution, a determination, to be happy? Better yet, how about content? Contentment is being at peace in your current situation, no matter what. Phillipians 4:10-4:13 says “I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess – happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” (The Message)Or how about what Hebrews 13:5-6 says; “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, ‘I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,’ we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help, I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?” With promises like this, a new year’s resolution to be content should be first on our list. Remember, content where we are. We don’t need to be thinner, stronger, richer. Contentment in who we are in Christ will get us where we need to be. Happy New Year!!!
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