Resolution or Freedom?

My house is quiet this morning. For the last four weeks that has not been the case. My oldest came home around the first of December followed the next week by her sister and then high school finished and we had a full house. Constantly. It was great but I have to admit that the quiet is nice too.


I have not had a chance to sit long enough to think about the idea of a New Year's resolution. About what I would like to change this year or do better or quit doing. You know, the fabulous resolution that you tell yourself is going to change your life this time. That one thing that will make you miraculously better. Quickly thinner. Overnight get you in shape. Make you more spiritual by Friday. Fix all your problems.


If I am honest, for many years I lived a life that looked for that quick fix. Maybe I am the only one. But, I would look around and think if I just looked like her. If my house looked like that. If I was that size then I could wear that too. If my children had that kind of drive they would excel in that. If I could be like that wife then Danny would be better off. If I had that kind of money it would be easier. If I had the time to read my Bible and do devotions like her then I could teach or lead or disciple. If only.


The definition of resolution is this: a formal expression of opinion or intention made; a resolve or determination. Sounds like a lot of work. A resolution requires me to make a decision, express it out loud and then be determined to follow through with it. All very good things but when I think of that definition it makes me go back to the "if only".


The definition of freedom, however, is this: the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint. Sounds refreshing. Just the state of being free. Is that even possible?


As I sat in my quiet house this morning reading my devotion and journal, the title jumped off the page at me. My journal heading was God in in control. Now, I know this and I believe this but today it resonated in a different way. He is in charge. He has it under control. He has a plan. He knows the future. And He does not make mistakes. So that leaves little for me to do but just rest in that freedom. 


I made a decision a long time ago to follow Jesus. I express it out loud a lot. I have been determined to learn more about what that means and follow through with a surrendered life. That was my resolution a long time ago. So why do I feel the need to find a new one? God is in control. He has a plan. It hasn't changed. He just invited me to be a part of it. And I made the choice to say yes without confinement or physical restraint. Just surrender.


So why don't I live in that freedom? Why don't I wake up every day with a new and fresh perspective? Why do I strive so hard to look like everyone else and to be a better person or a better mom or a better wife or have more things or better things. Why do I feel the need to live someone else's life instead of the one He planned for me? Why does all the other stuff look so much better? Because I am allowing the world to constrain me and mold me and shape my thinking. But there is a better way.


Freedom. If we cannot live a Kingdom life in the everyday, mundane stuff then why do we think that we will live a Kingdom life if things change? Jesus came to offer freedom. To take us out of captivity. To show us a better way. His way. 


So today I am not making a new resolution for change. I am choosing to live fully in the freedom that I already have. To let Him be in control. To live in obedience instead of striving. To learn to listen more this year. To love well this year. To rest in the freedom of Jesus.


All the other stuff will follow.

 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

 Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves 

be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 

Galatians 5:1