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The Weekly Winning Thought

Purposeful Resolution

By December 1, 2022No Comments

I am resolved no longer to linger
Charmed by the world’s delight
Things that are higher, things that are nobler
These have allured my sight

-Palmer Hartsough

In 2008, I decided to get contact lenses so that I could rid myself of the reading glasses that had become my ever-present companion. For many years I had watched my wife put her contacts in each morning with exceptional ease, all in a matter of seconds. That looked like the thing for me, so I decided to give it a try.

I went to the eye doctor, got my lenses, and proceeded to center these ridiculously small pieces of clear plastic over my pupils. Forty-five minutes later with red eyes, a bad attitude, and no success, the doctor’s assistant finally had to place them on my eyes for me to get me out of her office. She assured me that I could do it myself with a little practice.

For the first week or so, it took me at least twenty minutes each day to put those tiny things in.  As the weeks went by, I got faster at it. But I must admit, the process was accompanied by a very high degree of frustration. The only thing that kept me from quitting and going back to my reading glasses was that I was determined that I was not going to be defeated by these two tiny soft pieces of plastic.

I am reminded of one of my favorite passages in Luke’s Gospel: “As the time came for him to be taken up to Heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem (Luke 9:51).” While Heaven was his destination, He knew of the disappointment that he would have to endure by the abandonment of friends, an unfair trial by Pilate, a painful beating, and an excruciating death upon a Roman cross. But despite what stood between Him and his mission, He “resolutely set out for Jerusalem,” the site of his upcoming execution.

Consider some of the synonyms for the word resolutely; determinedly, doggedly, decisively, stubbornly, definitely, purposefully. The Message offers this translation of Luke 9:51; “…He gathered up His courage and steeled himself for the journey to Jerusalem.”

My dogged, stubborn desire to conquer my contact lenses became more about triumphing over those little objects than the benefit of seeing better. Ironically, I had lost sight of the purpose of the contacts. Jesus never lost sight of the purpose of His life. His resolute decision was to complete His earthly mission. My resolute decision was to win against two small pieces of plastic.

I often stray from the path of my life’s purpose because my focus shifts from things above to the things of this earth. I charge forward doggedly with stubborn determination toward a counterfeit purpose in pursuit of the temporal, and in so doing I lose sight of my Jerusalem.

What’s your Jerusalem?

King Solomon wrote, “Where there is no vision the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).” How’s your sight? Has your vision been blurred by the challenges of your journey? Are your circumstances threatening to drag you away from your destination? Are you like I was nearly two decades ago; resolute, but with a misguided purpose – caring more about conquering two pieces of plastic than what those two pieces of plastic could do for me, fighting a worthwhile battle, but for the wrong reason? What are you resolutely pursuing that has a divine purpose?

It’s time for me and you to do as Jesus did; get clear on our vision and gather up our courage and head to our Jerusalem. Will you join me?

Play to win this week in the game that really counts!

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