I don’t do resolutions. But a thought about resolutions came to me that I’d like to share. In the gospel of Luke there’s a verse that’s very important.
As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51 NLT
Resolute means admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering. Every resolution has a common thread, which is dying to self. I’m going to lose weight, I’m going to workout more, I’m going to quit smoking. All of these require us to not live to please our flesh, but to die to the easy life and to be purposeful, determined, and unwavering.
Jesus knew why He was born and he understood His destiny was to suffer and die on a cross for you and me. But He also knew that after this He would be lifted up to heaven and reunited with His Father.
So He set out determined and unwavering. But anytime you make a resolution there seems to come a test of your resolve; will something distract you from completing your goal? And that’s exactly what happened to Jesus. There’s a choice to be made, not once, but everyday. Jesus kept moving towards Jerusalem but He didn’t ignore those around Him as He went. He healed, delivered and taught.
Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem.
Luke 13:22 NLT
You may have set a New Years resolution but I’d like to encourage you to think about this. We all have a destiny. It’s the New Jerusalem.
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.
Revelation 21:2-3 NLT
Our time is drawing near. So we need to set out resolutely, don’t be distracted but don’t ignore those around you, and always be pressing on towards the New Jerusalem.
Thank you for reading my first attempt at a blog. This was originally a FB post but I wanted to use it again in this format to reach a different audience.
InSitzes 