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Making Resolutions Vs Declaring Objectives (by Commander Barney Barnes)

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Making Resolutions Vs Declaring Objectives

“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

With the imminent arrival of 2026, the phrase “New Year’s Resolution” will, if not already, probably pass along the crawl line of your mental processes. In fact, I have already heard some men use this phrase especially in association with the terms new diet and exercise program.

Rather than making resolutions my recommendation would be to entertain the idea of declaring objectives…because that’s how Jesus did it! Webster’s makes it clear that resolution has to do with analyzing and solving complexities; or “the process of finding a solution for”. Jesus was not given to “making resolutions”. Instead, He declared the coming of a “New Kingdom”! He declared that He had come to set the oppressed free, for giving his life as a ransom for many, and to give us life abundantly!

“Objective”, according to Webster’s: something you are trying to do or achieve; a goal or purpose; something toward which effort is directed, really helps make my point. However, my objective is not to discuss definitions but rather to assist you in making the most of this very critical year in your personal as well as spiritual life.

Typically, when we make a new year’s resolution, we often do identify a personal objective. However, the idea of declaring an objective rings in our heart as a goal rather than in our mind as a problem to resolve. Being resolute is certainly a laudable quality that requires determination, perseverance, and tenacity, all of which can be marshaled to the cause of declaring and attaining our objectives for 2026.

When I was a navy combat pilot, I came across the writings of one of the greatest of military strategists, Karl Von Clausewitz. His doctrines are taught today at our war colleges as well as various business and graduate programs. The quote, from his classic On War, is simply this:

“It is the value of the objective that determines the amount of sacrifice in terms of magnitude and duration”.

Please read that again with a pause after each phrase and see the four degrees of an objective’s value: a little for a short time; a little for a long time; a lot for a short time; and a lot for a long time…magnitude and duration.

Application: Rather than make a resolution to say, eat healthier, spend more quality time with God, serve your wife, family, or others more effectively, why not declare objectives related to those issues stirring in your heart. Then employ Clausewitz’s maxim regarding sacrifice to measure the real value of each objective. Whether in actual war, which Clausewitz referenced, or engaged in life’s many battles and competing affections, it is the sacrifice we are willing to make for an objective that determines the true value of an objective. We men do sacrifice for what is of value to us. Our wives, children, associates and our God know well how we value them by this simple, unalterable standard. Perhaps this helps to explain our high divorce rate, decreased value for human life in its many forms, and other cultural ills.

Final Thoughts: The word sacrifice is not a popular word nor a well understood term in our modern parlance. “Sacrifice” is not disciplinary, rather is a combination of two root words sacer or sacred/holy and fascio or fabricate/make. Paul exhorts us to, “in view of God’s mercy, to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” If a man will come under the authority of Romans 12:1-2, then his purpose and life objectives will come more into focus…check it out. Jesus did not lay down rules for us to intellectually resolve to follow. Rather, he laid down His life as an objective for us to, as Paul well said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”. Now, in those simple ten words, that’s what we mean by declaring objectives! Absolutely no “vanilla” character… no Casper Milquetoast with Paul!

Written by Commander John "Barney" Barnes
Used with permission from Bravo Bravo Wisdom

* Barney Barnes, 12-28-25, Former Promise Keepers National Ambassador for the Military and Prisons

To Equip & Encourage

Making Resolutions Vs Declaring Objectives (by Commander Barney Barnes)

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