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Biblical resolutions to keep

By Juliana Valdez

The year 2021 is here! A new year with the promise of new hope, new expectations, new possibilities. Many began by indulging in the age-old practice of making resolutions. Of course, many will admit that rarely do they keep these resolutions beyond the end of January!

While viewing the Steve Harvey Show, his guest Todd Chrisley of the show, Chrisley Knows Best stated that he does not make resolutions because he does not keep them anyway, and the same can be said for many of us.

Many resolutions to begin weight loss diets, gain membership in gyms, drink less beers, eat less chocolate, etc, are made in the euphoria while ringing in the New Year and before long, as Shakespeare wrote many moons ago, “…the well-made plans of mice and men…”  They all come to nought!

As is traditional, many would have greeted the New Year at a church service, wanting to “begin the year in the presence of God”. Thinking about this tradition, I reflected on the many verses of scripture which can well be considered as the resolutions of those who uttered them.

While not made to enter the New Year, these have become for many, guidelines, and rules for their Christian living. These are some which came to mind.

In the Old Testament, Joshua, son of Nun, led the Israelites after Moses’ death. After facing many battles and stressful situations, he declared, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord…” These were the words of encouragement he gave to the Israelites as he implored them to serve the One, True and Living God.

There are many complaints about the breakdown in family life and this is one of the factors contributing to the state of our society today. Like Joshua, those considered as the heads of the families in our country, could make this resolution on behalf of their families, urging them to be mindful of the presence of God, upholding spiritual and moral values, “Giving to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God, the things that are God’s.”

The psalmist in Psalm 30 resolves, “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praises will always be on my lips….” So many are the times we lose hope especially in the face of adversity.

When the trials and the challenges of our daily lives seem insurmountable, the resolution to “praise the Lord at all times” helps us to focus on the fact that in the midst of our darkness, the Light of Jesus shines through, and it is indeed a resolution we can keep through repeated practice.

Mary our Mother in response to the message of the angel resolved, “Let it be done unto me according to Thy will.” For many of us, we fight against allowing the will of God to be done in our lives and knock ourselves out trying to do/see things our way.

The example of our Blessed Mother was to be still and know that God is God, and with faith and trust in Him, everything will fall in line. Submitting to the will of God, all generations are today indeed calling her blessed.

This journey we call life is not an easy one, and so we need all the help we can to face our adversities. We need to remember however, that, as advised in the scriptures, when we seek first the kingdom of Heaven, everything else will fall in line.

So, like Joshua, let us encourage our households to serve the Lord, like the psalmist, let the praises of God be continuously on our lips as we give Him the honour and glory due to Him, and like our Blessed Mother, let us pray for the wisdom and strength to allow the will of God to be done in our lives, resolutions I am sure we can keep.