New Years has come and people are making resolutions left right and centre, firmly believing that this will be the year that I shed that weight, that I find that ideal woman; that I watch all seasons of 24 on boxset (some are more achievable than others). We relish the idea of a fresh start; to make over; an opportunity to leave behind the ‘old me’ and embrace the new.
In 1722 a young American Christian called Jonathan Edwards (he became kind of a big deal out there) began to note down some resolutions of his own. But it wasn’t joining ‘ye olde slimmer’s worlde’ that he had in mind, it was his Christian life that he began a list of firm resolutions about. And this guy wanted to change, number 1 was:
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
Edwards wanted to shape his life around glorifying God more, and thus (not separately) seek his own good. As what gives God the most glory (i.e. shows how valuable God is) is what is essentially best for us, even though it’s not necessarily the easiest thing. He also planned to help the community around him in whatever way he could. But all this won’t necessarily come naturally, so his second resolution was:
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
Or to translate into more modern language: always looking to find new ways in which to aid the achievement of the goals listed before. Which would involve looking for ways to glorify God, ways to grow as an individual and ways in which to help those around him.
The sad truth is we almost all fail to keep our hopeful new years resolutions as we look with rose tinted glasses to year ahead. What about grander more life altering resolutions like Edwards’s? Surely to try and do something like this is to almost guarantee failure. Hence resolution 3.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
When we fall short we repent, and attempt to return to our resolutions realising that the strength to change in these ways really doesn’t come from us, but from the Holy Spirit transforming us. Forgiveness is always there waiting because of the work of Christ.
I suggest we could make some resolutions with a similar goal this year, use a similar broad aim like Edwards’s 1st point and remind ourselves of it often....then actively seek ways that we can achieve this aim like point 2, this could involve reading the Bible and listening to preaching regularly to discover God’s will and for the power of his word to transform us. Talking to Christian Medic friends or older Christians to work through ethical and God related issues to prepare us for being Christian doctors; and praying regularly as part of an ongoing declaration of dependence on God. Remembering that as often as we fail, that’s how often we should ask for forgiveness and begin again.
Reading the rest of Edwards’s resolutions may be helpful or gradually collecting your own after reflecting on scripture may help.
I hate to sound like a portfolio review, but careful and prayerful self reflection is one of the best ways to change. (not forgetting that it’s the spirit within you that deserves the credit)
Make a resolution that counts this new year, and resolve what you will do in light of the eternal hope you have in Christ.
Upcoming events that may help:
CMF student Conference on the 10th-12th feb
Christians in Psychiatry Talk (hopefully happening this term)
End of Life issues Talk (probably happening this semester)
Lets not forget the CMF breakfasts that can be a great place to pray together and learn from one-another (and eat breakfast)
Paul offers Godly advice when he says:
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 1-2
And let us not have our resolve shaken by the fact the world around us doesn’t commit themselves to the same things, echoing Joshua when he says: ‘as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.’ Joshua 24: 15b
In 1722 a young American Christian called Jonathan Edwards (he became kind of a big deal out there) began to note down some resolutions of his own. But it wasn’t joining ‘ye olde slimmer’s worlde’ that he had in mind, it was his Christian life that he began a list of firm resolutions about. And this guy wanted to change, number 1 was:
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
Edwards wanted to shape his life around glorifying God more, and thus (not separately) seek his own good. As what gives God the most glory (i.e. shows how valuable God is) is what is essentially best for us, even though it’s not necessarily the easiest thing. He also planned to help the community around him in whatever way he could. But all this won’t necessarily come naturally, so his second resolution was:
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
Or to translate into more modern language: always looking to find new ways in which to aid the achievement of the goals listed before. Which would involve looking for ways to glorify God, ways to grow as an individual and ways in which to help those around him.
The sad truth is we almost all fail to keep our hopeful new years resolutions as we look with rose tinted glasses to year ahead. What about grander more life altering resolutions like Edwards’s? Surely to try and do something like this is to almost guarantee failure. Hence resolution 3.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
When we fall short we repent, and attempt to return to our resolutions realising that the strength to change in these ways really doesn’t come from us, but from the Holy Spirit transforming us. Forgiveness is always there waiting because of the work of Christ.
I suggest we could make some resolutions with a similar goal this year, use a similar broad aim like Edwards’s 1st point and remind ourselves of it often....then actively seek ways that we can achieve this aim like point 2, this could involve reading the Bible and listening to preaching regularly to discover God’s will and for the power of his word to transform us. Talking to Christian Medic friends or older Christians to work through ethical and God related issues to prepare us for being Christian doctors; and praying regularly as part of an ongoing declaration of dependence on God. Remembering that as often as we fail, that’s how often we should ask for forgiveness and begin again.
Reading the rest of Edwards’s resolutions may be helpful or gradually collecting your own after reflecting on scripture may help.
I hate to sound like a portfolio review, but careful and prayerful self reflection is one of the best ways to change. (not forgetting that it’s the spirit within you that deserves the credit)
Make a resolution that counts this new year, and resolve what you will do in light of the eternal hope you have in Christ.
Upcoming events that may help:
CMF student Conference on the 10th-12th feb
Christians in Psychiatry Talk (hopefully happening this term)
End of Life issues Talk (probably happening this semester)
Lets not forget the CMF breakfasts that can be a great place to pray together and learn from one-another (and eat breakfast)
Paul offers Godly advice when he says:
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 1-2
And let us not have our resolve shaken by the fact the world around us doesn’t commit themselves to the same things, echoing Joshua when he says: ‘as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.’ Joshua 24: 15b