by Pastor Dan Baumgartner

January. Once again, a new year has crept up on us, slinking around the shadows like a burglar on a dark night, and we find ourselves opening the front door to the shock of another year. Twelve months, 52 weeks, 365 days staring us in the face.

The classic American move at this point would be to make sure we have a list of New Year’s resolutions ready that are well-intentioned, a mile wide and an inch deep. We’ve been through this drill before.

• I’m going to lose 10 pounds.
• I will work out regularly at the gym (note: it’s no coincidence that health clubs run specials every January!).
• I will quit watching television.
• I will read my Bible more.
• I will spend less money.
• I will no longer be late for meetings.

Sigh. I’ve been there, and I suspect you have too. Can we aim higher? Maybe, as C.S. Lewis says, “We are far too easily pleased.”

A couple of years ago I stumbled on to a set of resolutions written by Jonathan Edwards. Edwards may not be a household name, but he is a very important figure in American history. He was born in Connecticut in 1703, and graduated from Yale at the age of 17. He then preached in New York City, studied theology and philosophy and later moved on to ministry in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Edwards typified Puritan spiritual zeal, and the strict Calvinist theology that focused on God’s glory and sovereignty. Though generally acknowledged as one of America’s most brilliant theologians, he is probably best known for his role as a pastor and preacher in the 1734-43 spiritual revival called “The Great Awakening” in Northampton that spread to various parts of America and even influenced many parts of Europe.

Eventually he participated in a ministry with Indians in Massachusetts, and briefly served as President of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University).

In 1722 at the age of 19, Edwards was poised on the brink of lifelong ministry and he set about writing his “Resolutions.” Eventually he would record 70 individual resolutions, with the hope that they would help to guide him throughout his life.

Edwards’ list is interesting in that many of his resolutions include specific things to “do” (we might call those spiritual disciplines), but it is the overall tone that really catches me. Edwards had a burning passion to follow Christ.

The resolutions, in other words, were just the means towards an end. As recent biographer George M. Marsden (Jonathan Edwards: A Life, 2003) recently wrote,

“Jonathan directed his “Resolutions” toward plugging every gap that would allow distraction from what he saw as his only worthy activity, to glorify God.”

Here are a few examples of Edwards’ resolutions:

• Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, except what tends to the glory of God.
• Resolved, to examine carefully and constantly what is that one thing in me that causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
• Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God.
• Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
• Resolved, never to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s.
• Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, in what way I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.
• Resolved, never to do anything that I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
• Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Somehow, those earlier thoughts of “watch less television” or “lose 10 pounds” seem awfully shallow in comparison. And while I don’t recommend that you adopt Edwards’ list, nor ever attempt to carry through on 70 different resolutions for yourself, I must say that I found the rigor of Edwards’ desire refreshing.

In our day we rightly spend a fair amount of time basking in God’s grace and cautiously avoiding the trap of legalistic living that is filled with “shoulds.” But sometimes we tip the seesaw so far that way it bangs on the ground and reminds us that we also need to give all of our energy, gifts, time and thoughts to the pursuit of our relationship with God.

“Don’t be late for meetings?” Edwards sets the bar much higher. Maybe we are far too easily pleased. I wonder what God might call you and me to this year?

Resolved, to keep my eyes open to the presence and movement of God in all areas of life. Resolved.