Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Resolutions (12/29/03)
TITLE: RE-Solutions? Just A Little Re-petious? By L.M. Lee 01/01/04 |
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Right?
Looking at the word closer, I made a different observation, at least for me anyway. When I looked at the word, I saw:
“Re” – Solutions
Now that’s an interesting new twist. Instead of attempting the old solutions for my current maladies; I should “re” think those solutions.
Maybe going on another diet isn’t the solution for my weight problem. Maybe biting my tongue isn’t the best route to anger management. Maybe all those tortuous images of self inflicted denial aren’t the right solution to any of my failings.
Maybe…I need some new “solutions.”
But then “re” means you repeat an activity, right? So does a re-solution mean I just keep re-starting every New Year with the same old solutions from prior New Years?
But why?
Those old re-solutions aren’t getting the job done.
What is the answer?
How do you move from one mindset to another?
The process has been aptly named a paradigm switch. Eight letters are used to completely define the absolute reversal of an imbedded thought pattern. What a comfortable word for such a monumental task. You would at least think the world should have the proportions of something like the word: “antidisestablishmentarianism.”
I pondered the entire process again. A familiar verse kept passing over my mental marquee…
… be transformed by the renewing of your mind…
There was another one of those “re” words. And of course how can you re-new something? If it is repeated it can no longer be new and fresh?
Or can it?
I located my Bible and re-read the opening verses of Romans 12:
“1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I not only have to re-new, but I have to transform. I could hear the theme song from the old cartoon show..."Transfomers, more than meets the eye!"
It is something more than re-newing. It is re-seeing.
In the past I have set lofty goals for myself. I’ve fought numerous battles with self to defeat the old habits that sneak up from behind, attack me at my weakest point and destroy any hope of victory.
But not this year.
This year I am taking a completely different approach. This year I am re-solutionizing. This year I am going to work on re-newing how I see things in my mind.
Instead of seeing myself as I currently am, I am going to re-see. This time I am going to concentrate all my efforts on re-vising what I focus on.
In Hebrews 12 it reads, “…Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God…”
How did Jesus find the strength, courage and grace to endure the cross?
He saw the “joy” that was to come.
He saw Himself seated at the right hand of the throne of God. He didn’t look at where He was…He looked to where He would be.
I know this is not a new thought. In fact, it is a re-solution to all problems. Without vision - sight - seeing - we all perish. I have to see it, first.
If it worked for Jesus…
So re-peat after me...
"I'm somewhere in the future and I look much better than I am right now!"
Re-member...same place this time next year and we'll all see how it worked out!
© 1/1/04 Lissa M. Lee