Resolved…
2024 is only a few days away! This time of year our ads are filled with self-help opportunities. We can lose weight, learn a foreign language, build muscle, or practice mindfulness. “New Year Resolutions” mean big-bucks for many companies. Unfortunately, these resolutions are often self-centered and fizzle out before Valentine’s Day.
One odd place I’ve found help during these New Year transitions is from the Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards.
Edwards, known for his fiery sermons (like Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God) and poignant exploration of God's grace, wasn't one for superficial resolutions. As a young man, unsure of his future, he wrote down 70 resolutions. These weren’t New Year whims like shedding a few pounds. Instead, Edwards was setting a life-steering set of priorities. Priorities that would serve him as he faced failure, led a revival and changed the course of our budding nation’s history.
So, how can we, in the 21st century, translate Edwards' wisdom into our own resolutions? Here are a few guiding principles:
1. Center on God's Glory: Edwards' first resolution set the tone: "Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and to my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration." Let this be our North Star. Every decision, every action, every thought – is it in line with God's will and His ultimate purpose for us? As you consider all your lesser goals (the weight, debt, or drinking) can you tie those into ways you will be more free to glorify God?
2. Cultivate a Christ-like Character: Edwards' resolutions aimed at developing virtues like humility, patience, and kindness. Let's commit to actively seeking these qualities, mimicking the character of Christ in our interactions with family, friends, and even strangers. To this end, he was willing to learn from anyone God put in his path. This 54th resolution read, “Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it.”
3. Steward Time with Intentionality: Edwards famously declared, "Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can." He maximized his time, thinking through sermons as he rode on his horse and waking early to study God’s Word. Time is a precious gift, and we must use it wisely. Let's prioritize activities that nourish our souls, build meaningful relationships, and contribute meaningfully to the world.
4. Prioritize Personal Growth: Edwards was a tireless student of Scripture and his own heart. “Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.” Let's commit to consistent prayer, Bible study, and reflection. By actively engaging with God's word and examining our own motives, we can grow closer to Him and navigate life's challenges with wisdom.
5. Embrace Humility and Dependence: Edwards recognized his own sinfulness and leaned heavily on God's grace. Let's remember that our strength comes from Him, not ourselves. Humility and dependence should be the foundation of our resolutions, ensuring we remain grounded and open to God's guidance.
6. To Live LIfe to its Fullest: My favorite of Edward’s resolution simply reads, “Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.” I love that. So many people miss out on life while living it. Eugene Peterson once wrote about how baffling it is that so many people barely live their lives.
Famous entertainers amuse a nation of bored insomniacs. Infamous criminals act out the aggressions of timid conformists. Petulant and spoiled athletes play games vicariously for lazy and apathetic spectators. People, aimless and bored, amuse themselves with trivia and trash. Neither the adventure of goodness nor the pursuit of righteousness gets headlines.
What would it look like if you lived with all your might while you did live? Just picture what legacy that would leave your kids, neighbors, and the other members of our church. That’s what I want people to say about me. Not that I knew every line from Star Wars or could create awful puns. I want people to see that I lived with all my might. Every day, all my strength for the glory of God.
Edwards' resolutions are not a legalistic checklist. They offer a framework for a vibrant and purposeful Christian life. As we embark on this new year, let's adopt his spirit of intentionality, aligning our goals with God's will and striving for holiness in everything we do. Remember, true transformation comes not from self-imposed pressure but from a Spirit-inspired desire to serve God.
So, let us ring in the new year not just with resolutions, but with a renewed dedication to living for Christ. May our lives be a testament to His grace, a reflection of His love, and a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needs it.
What resolutions will you make this year, inspired by Jonathan Edwards? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
With You;
Pastor Tim
