Fanfare

 

(Photo: runandbecome.com)

A song, an uphill variation on a theme, to the tune of “The 12 Days of Christmas”...

“On the first day of the new year, my true Love gave to me: one resolution…”

Not a jingle nor a silly tune nor anything lightweight... but an anthem!

Like Aaron Copeland’s floor-rattling, spine-chilling “Fanfare for the Common Man,” both in title and sound.

Turn it up loud and shout to your soul the one resolution that truly matters:

“Fight the good fight—run the good race—of faith.

Grabbing hold of the life that continues forever.

You were called to have that life.” 

(1 Timothy 6:12, Expanded)

Fight the good fight of satisfaction and contentment—keep running away from all other “gods” that seem shiny and bright on the outside but that suck the life out of you, and keep running to the One who says: “Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 80:10)

Fight the good fight against the voice of “I don’t want to,” but instead follow this one: “I leave the past behind, and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal—my reward, the honor of being called by God in Christ.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Fight the good fight against wasting solitude and “nothing happening” moments, because that’s where Jesus found strength. "Follow Me." (Luke 5:16)

Fight the good fight to strengthen your heart of Love and make it your passion...more than coffee. (Luke 10:27)

Fight the good fight for carrying a positive attitude and words that overflow from that heart of Love. (Philippians 4:8)

Fight the good fight of gratitude. Period. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Fight the good fight against complacency. And keep fighting hard. (Galatians 6:9)

Fight the good fight daily.

Hourly.

Minute my minute.

Month by month.

All 12 of them that lie on the 2023 horizon.

At all times.

To the encouraging cheers from the great cloud of witnesses who’ve gone before.

Like Jonathan Edwards:

“Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”

“The race doesn’t always belong to the swift nor the battle to the strong. It belongs rather to those who run the race, who stay the course, and who fight the good fight.”

—Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox and Hall of Fame outfielder