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)
Word for 2018?
Words. Amazing things. One word alone can alter your day, your moment. At the rollover of each new year, I begin asking the Lord for a word. One word that may describe His emphasis on me, perhaps His finger that points in a new direction or most assuredly a word to study. In the past, I have been given words like regardless and last year, believe.
As I sat quietly with bible in hand, I was taken to Psalm 119, a beautiful piece of poetry, yet full of divine direction. As I read I stopped short at verse 30, meaning there were 146 more verses to go, but here is where I stopped, here is where God points. It is known to scholars that King David wrote these words, it is from his dipped quill, “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set Your rules before me.” Perhaps not for you, but for me, these words dance, yet one curiously stands boldly among the rest. “I have set Your rules before me.”
Quickly turning to other resources, it all exploded with imagery. I was taken to another of David’s writings, “I have set the LORD always before me, because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8 NIV) Set. The word is shavah, (in the Hebrew) its meaning is to level, to equalize; figuratively it is to resemble; by implication, to adjust. The picture it paints is placing God, and God’s word in front of me, like a permanent placemat at the table, with the goal to be found resembling Him and His word, does what I say and do measure ‘level’ with Him? I can see from here, the bulk of my 
2018 will indeed be ‘to adjust.’ This word is challenging and comforting at the same time. I look forward to coming to the table, having it pre-determined and purposely set and ready. I have set You and Your word before me. (Go God!)
Perhaps you too would ask God for a word. In doing so, Holy Spirit whisper that word to us continually over the course of 2018. May we look for it, for YOU with anticipation and expectation. We invite You Holy Spirit, come with grace and power enabling us to respond in devotional active obedience!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Inspired Fountain 