Its Time to Think Deeply... Pray Intensely... Act Compassionately

"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." The Colonial preacher, Jonathan Edwards made these resolutions on August 17, 1723.  There are 70 in all, focusing on seven areas: his overall life mission, good works, time management, relationships, suffering, character and spiritual life.  He also resolved to read this list of resolutions every day.

Some of the resolutions are rather lengthy.  Here are a few of the briefer ones:

13. Resolved: To be endeavoring to discover worthy objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved: Never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved: Never to suffer the least emotions of anger about irrational beings.
16. Resolved: Never to speak evil of anyone, except if it is necessary for some real good.
17. Resolved: I will live in such a way, as I will wish I had done when I come to die.

If anyone could have stuck to their resolutions for more than a few weeks, Jonathan Edwards was that kind of person.  Yet, it's unlikely that he was able to consistently live as he had resolved to live.  It is easier to make resolutions than to keep them. As Jesus said, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

The good news is this!  Even when we are faithless, God is faithful.  At the slightest call for help, God will patiently, graciously lend a helping hand as we commit ourselves to live "for the glory of God and our neighbor's good." Whether or not you make resolutions, none of us can accomplish anything of real importance without God's help. In his book, Letters to a Young Evangelical, Tony Campolo suggests three areas where we all need God's help.  Here are three prayer points for the new year:

• Lord, help us to think deeply
• Lord, help us to pray intensely
• Lord, help us to act compassionately

May the living God patiently, graciously help us to think, pray and act for God's glory and our neighbor's good.