My New Year’s Resolutions & The Life Of Jonathan Edwards
You are likely familiar with Jonathan Edwards. You may even be familiar with his Seventy Resolutions, though it is more likely you associate him with his well-known sermon, Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God. I was first was introduced to Edwards through an analysis essay of Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God in a high school literature class, but lost touch with his works until this past year. (If you have not read through The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, I highly encourage doing so. It will only take a few minutes, and you can find them here).
Today, I decided to revisit Edwards’ Resolutions yet again while looking forward into 2022, and charting my own intentional path for utmost spiritual and personal growth over the upcoming 365 days. There are several resolutions that stood out to me while reading. Here are just a few:
“Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.”
“Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it”
“Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Proverbs 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me”
Edwards was committed to discipline and obedience. What I appreciate most about his Resolutions, though, aren’t the resolutions themselves, rather the overarching principle that drives his every attempt at obedience and ongoing devotion to the Lord. He introduces his Resolutions by stating the following:
“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.”
Edwards did later admit his tendency toward self-reliance in his pursuit of such temperate obedience, but his commitment to organized and intentional obedience is nevertheless admirable. As a type-A (Enneagram One) female, I acknowledge that I must also carefully (if not hesitantly) commit to resolutions in light of the unfortunate fact that I also often lean in the direction of self-reliance and excessive strictness when monitoring personal goals and priorities. I must also maintain sensibility of my inability to do anything apart from God’s help. Insofar as this sensibility is properly maintained, however, I wholeheartedly endorse resolutions, as did Jonathan Edwards, and the direction, accountability, and opportunity for introspection they provide.
It is with such intentional recognition of my need of Christ’s help that I commit to the following five resolutions, influenced by those of Edwards himself, as well as the Scriptures.
MY RESOLUTIONS
Resolved, to steadily meditate upon the law of the Lord day and night (Psalm 1), and to approach my daily reading of the Word as a privilege and opportunity to increase in the delight of its pages (Psalm 1, Psalm 119)
Resolved, to improve upon my daily stewardship of time, so as to “walk carefully, not as unwise, but as wise, and to make the best use of the time, recognizing that the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Additionally, to always “look well to the ways of my household” in order that I may not “eat the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27)
Resolved, to daily appreciate the beauty of my divinely created physical body (Genesis 1:27-28, 1 Corinthians 6:19), and to distance myself from unhealthy societal attitudes, definitions, and expectations related to human body image.
Resolved, to examine honestly and carefully at the end of each day whether the heart of my husband trusts in me (Proverbs 31:11); whether I do him good, and not harm each and every day (Proverbs 31:12); and to consider daily if there be any ways I may contribute to his own personal and spiritual successes and to eagerly act accordingly.
Resolved, to increase in my love and affection for my fellow brothers and sisters, and to take every step necessary to nurture biblical intimacy and true Christ-centered friendship.
I hope that by sharing my own resolutions, you will find encouragement and inspiration to thoughtfully draw up a few of your own. I look forward to growing with you in 2022.
Happy New Year!
Abigail
