The Resolution for Women Introduction

I was dashing out the door for a date with God at the local Panera Bread when I decided to grab another book. I quickly scanned my overflowing bookshelves when I saw it.

The book my awesome brother-in-law, Whitt, got me for Christmas last year. The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer. The directors of the movie Courageous asked Shirer to write it and so she began to write a book for females about resolving to become women who seek the Lord with all they are, women who abandon the lies whispered by the culture and the enemy in order to pursue fully biblical womanhood, women who recognize they can do nothing of the sort without the strength and power of the Lord. 

That night, after spending time in the Word and praying during my date with God, I reached for the book and was mesmerized. 

It was so refreshing to read a book for women that wasn't about singleness or being married, but simply about falling in love with Jesus and making application to a woman's life. Here's a snippet from the introduction:

"A defining banner hangs over your life, written in the ink of your own choices. We already are women of resolutions.  

So since making resolutions is something we'll do anyway, the question for us to grapple with is not whether we'll ever make any more of them, but whether we're going to be intentional about the ones we do make."

As I read through the introduction and finally made it to the list of resolutions Shirer would be speaking of in the book, tears filled my eyes--right there at my table at Panera. The list of resolutions is my heart expressed in writing. This is the pursuit of my soul--to honor God by walking holiness and growing more into the image of His beautiful Son. 

"These are more than just determinations you make within yourself; they are girded about with the power of the Holy Spirit--encouraging you, comforting you, equipping you with the strength you need to carry them out."   

What must be realized is that the word resolutions evokes a certain twinge in whoever is resolving to do something, so let's get something straight: we can't change ourselves for God. This is not works based but must be Spirit-driven, or results will never last. 

Therefore, our first resolution should be to resolve ourselves to stop trying to do this for God, as if He would be impressed with us for making these commitments, and press on to know Him more fully. 

"Sometimes the greatest miracle of all is the one that happens in your own heart, the change that takes place in you and then surprises you as it filters into the seams and fabric of your whole life."

In the days that follow I'll post different parts of the chapters, including study questions and what God is teaching me through them, in hopes that other women will join me in this journey toward knowing God more fully as we give Him the pen of our lives and relinquish the control we don't have but feel we need. 

The prayer I journaled after reading the intro and resolutions for the first time:

Dear Father,

Help me to not just say (or write) these things, but I ask for Your divine power and equipping to make this a way of life. It can only happen if You allow it, but I know this is Your will because it is according to Your Word, so be honored, please, Lord, as I so desperately want to make You famous with my life. I love You. 

If you've read the book, I would love feedback on your experience so feel free to share what God taught you through it. On the other hand, if you would like to join me in this journey or if something from this blog ever speaks to you, I would love to hear what God is doing in your life, so never hesitate to share. 

In Christ alone,