Resolution vs Revelation
Happy New Year! As the calendar rolls to a new year, we flip through the photos, whether it be of puppies, sunset images or wish-filled sandy beaches. The empty squares indicate days yet to be lived. Those twelve pages can either propel us or paralyze us.
The change of the New Year has traditionally become a re-setting, if you will, of our life compass. We evaluate the past and plan for the future. For some of us, this means sitting down and writing out our Resolutions. Money to be made, exercise routines, diet plans, buy that new house, get that promotion, clean those closets, get organized. The list goes on. Don’t get me wrong, these are all good goals.
A New Year’s Resolution can be defined as “a firm decision to do or not do something, a course of action designed with the intent to keep a vow.” Statistics claim, one in three Americans makes a New Year’s resolution of some sort, yet only about 75% of these folks stick to their goal for at least—a week. Aren’t we a committed group!
Yet there is more.
Have we considered that instead of a resolution to do better, get more, and perhaps try to be something other than we are designed for, that we seek—revelation? As we stand at the door of 2026, may we pause and truly take the posture of seeking a fresh revelation of our God. Posture in our attitude and approach.
Revelation. The act of disclosing or discovering what was before unknown. I would offer; we may have read it, even know it (the story) but let’s reach beyond the familiar. Let’s be intentional as we read through our Bibles. Invite Holy Spirit to read with us, revealing and pointing out incredible and wondrous things. May we not speed by just to check a box, but slow down, allowing (welcoming) HIM in the process. The process of knowing Him. Don’t read His word to see what it says about us, but what each page declares about the unwavering and astounding qualities of God’s character.
Perhaps God has been nudging you to get back to church. BE with God’s people. Or get more involved where you do attend. Participle in a new class, volunteer where needed. Engage rather than observe. Or maybe, this is the time you sincerely bow to Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) a new year, new Lord—a new you!
Paul wrote, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2a, NLT). That is my plan, this is my goal. I seek to be transformed more—for my growth and His glory. Not only doing/being what is in my finite human power to do but making a sacred space for HIS transforming. Prioritizing space for reading, prayer and obedience. Making a firm decision to take action to learn and accept and walk in more of His love, trust His hand and bow more in gratitude of His mercy and grace. Sitting quietly to hear Him and releasing the breath I didn’t even know I was holding.
How about you?
Revelation.
I pray over us as Paul did, “I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Amen) – Ephesians 3:14-20 (NIV)
A hardy blessed (full of revelation) Happy New Year. For our growth and His glory.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Revelation Vs Resolution
As the calendar takes on a new year, we flip through the photos, whether it be puppies, golf images or as mine hangs proudly … Tropical sandy beaches. The empty squares indicating days yet to be lived, those 12 pages can either propel us or paralyze us.
The change of the new year has traditionally become a ‘re-setting’ if you will of our life compass. We evaluate the past and plan for the future. For some of us, this enfolds sitting down writing out our Resolutions. Money to be made, exercise routines to be eventually avoided, diet plans for hopes of a ‘new me’, buy that new house, get that promotion, start that new reading plan. Don’t get me wrong, these are all good plans of a attack for the new year. However, have we considered that instead of a resolution to do better, get more, perhaps be something other than we are, that we seek … revelation?
Recently I have again revisited ‘grace’ and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. Grace, not only is it a most beautiful word, but a powerful element within the Kingdom of God. Paul uses it in many greetings and closing words, “… grace and peace be yours in Christ Jesus…” I will not share the potentially boring geeky religious or theological information to pack our heads with more ‘stuff’, but I will do as the Holy Spirit has with me recently, massage your heart with God’s love.
Grace, ‘unlimited kindness and mercy of God freely given to the undeserved.’ Now if THAT does not spark something within you, then let me say it again in a different way and personalize it.
GRACE, the absolutely free expression of loving kindness and favor of God given to me when I do not deserve it. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God…” When I make a mess of things or do not have it in me to go on, or my footing is somewhat not sure, or the next moment of my life needs to be lived … He is. His love for me, protects me, guides me, sustains me and opens doors for me. He gives me wisdom beyond my own intelligence, understanding that amazes this old gal and basically He is all that I am not. His plan, (or might I risk saying) His resolution for me is found in Jesus Christ, I can not NOT be anything but victorious. Grace.
Faith puts us on the tracks of grace. Remember in the Indiana Jones movie, when Jones is 
in pursuit of the ‘holy cup’ of Christ? (Play short movie clip now in your mind) In the journey, he travels through tunnels and passages ways and ultimately comes out only to find a HUGE ravine between he and the entry way to the cup. Soon he has the revelation that the ravine is ONLY a deceitful image. Taking a handful of sand, he tosses it across the ravine to find a clear path to the cup. He stands, extends one leg, closes his eyes and by faith take that first step across.
I know this is a poor and perhaps silly illustration, but for me, faith is picking up the sand and tossing it across our ravines … grace is the ability to walk across and keep walking. Daily there are many forms of ‘ravines’ to be crossed… DAILY He is there to get us through to the other side with an unbroken and immense supply of more grace. Jesus says “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9) How many of us are weak? How many of us this last year have grown tired in spirit and soul?
As we stand at the door of 2015, may we truly position ourselves to seek a fresh revelation of Jesus. Learn more of His love, trust His hand and bow more in gratitude of the mercy He extends by withholding what we deserve and the grace He freely gives with His favor spilling all over us.
I pray over us as Paul did, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and 
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor. 13:14) The divine Trinity at Their best!
From our home to yours, Happy New Year, be blessed beyond …
In Him, DeDe & Mark ( “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” ~ Heb. 10:24)
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