New Year's Resolutions for a Great Awakening
Imagine a society in which secular rationalism is on the rise and religious observance is waning. Even those who continue to follow the Christian faith are growing stale. You might think I’m describing current times, but in fact this was exactly what was occurring in the 1730s in America.
Enter a 19-year-old man who dreamt of becoming a pastor and reigniting passion for Christ in society. Known today as one of the chief fathers of the Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards had a monumental task ahead of him. But, instead of strategizing on how he would make the most impact on others, he first turned inward. He wrote a series of resolutions about how he wished to live his life, which directly impacted his ministry for the rest of his life until his death at the age of 54.
Many of us are considering what New Year’s Resolutions we can make for 2023. Maybe it’s exercising regularly, eating healthier, reading more or picking up a new hobby. Those are all worthwhile endeavors, but if we want to make a Kingdom impact, we could all stand to take a page from Jonathan Edwards’ book.
Below I’m sharing some of my favorites of Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions. As we enter the New Year, consider how you can resolve to live a life worthy of the calling placed on you as a child of God.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s
glory…
2. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
3. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done
when I see others do it.
4. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do,
if it were the last hour of my life.
5. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month
and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done
better.
6. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I
should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and
hell torments.
7. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for
them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have
got by them.
8. 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.
9. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought
higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was
the week before.
10. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best
and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on
the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and
consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have
assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my
Redeemer.
This is just a sample of the 70 Resolutions Jonathan Edwards made. Imagine if every Christian incorporated even these 10 resolutions in 2023. Perhaps we would see the new Great Awakening for which we long and pray. I hope you’ll join me in making 2023 a year to look inward and resolve to live fully for His Kingdom.