Resolute

No 2006 retrospective post, I think...goodness knows I'm nostalgic and sentimental enough without looking back yet again at my internship! 2006 was a year of change; I think I increased in wisdom and experience in some surprising areas. But I have to say I'm looking forward to the new year.

I've never made a big deal out of New Year's resolutions. But yesterday a friend asked me what my goals/resolutions were for this year, and it turns out I had a few. The L-rd has been bringing quite a few things to my attention lately, revealing stuff He has been working in my heart. Here is the answer I gave my friend:

Spiritual goals

• Pray for Israel every day. They are my people, but I need to really understand and feel the L-rd's heart over them. I want to be able to cry out in prayer from that understanding: "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the L-rd, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth." (Isaiah 62:6-7)
• Go deeper into intercession, learning my authority in prayer before the throne.
• Live in wholeheartedness and be "holiness to the L-rd" (Zechariah 14), a consecrated vessel.
• Resist the sins that so easily ensnare me, learning to use effective weapons in spiritual warfare (Hebrews 12; 2 Corinthians 10; all of Romans) so I can live in freedom.
• Learn to wait on the L-rd in terms of relationships; really give Him the remaining time in my vow.
• Increase the amount of time I spend reading the Bible and praying outside of the prayer room.
• Love Jesus more. Ministry, service, and everything else should come out of loving this Man.

Non-spiritual (well, sort of) goals

• Be on time to things, and especially be faithful with my Sacred Trust (the schedule I registered with IHOP's staff office).
• Get my finances in better order.
• Get an IRA and start investing.
• Get health insurance.
• Save up for a new laptop and a new (well, used, but new to me) car.

So I have resolutions now. What do I do with them? I think I need to be faithful and not lose sight of my goals. What does the act of resolving signify, anyway?

"Resolution" means that you are determined and focused on something. It's related to "resolute." The definition of "resolute" is "(1) firmly resolved or determined; set in purpose or opinion; (2) characterized by firmness and determination, as the temper, spirit, actions, etc." I think the root word of "resolution" and "resolute" is "resolve." The Latin root means to unfasten, loosen, release.

At first I was puzzled. To me, "resolution" seems to be a focused determination, not a loosey-goosey whateverness. But upon further examination I think that resolving to do something is a focusing and an articulation of inner conviction. Making a resolution presupposes a determined heart and spirit; it takes that firmness and conviction, focuses them, and releases them in articulation.

That's what happened yesterday, I guess. G-d took the stuff that had been percolating inside me and made me focus it, then release it for myself and for others to hear. Pretty cool. We will see how it goes this year.

What about you folks out there in reader-land? What are your goals and desires for the next year?