Resolutions (part two)

Of all the personal goals I’ve ever read, none have inspired me like the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards.  He lived in colonial America and was a missionary to the Native Americans.  He wrote a lengthy set of resolutions that he would reflect on each week.  Just to give you a snapshot, I’ve included a few here:

1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, 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 myriads 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, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

5. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, To act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings, as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. Vid. July 30.

18. Resolved, To live so, at all times, as I think is best in my most devout frames, and when I have the clearest notions of the things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour before I should hear the last trump.

Every time I read through these (here is the full list), I feel inspired to be even more devoted to Christ, His church, and humanity.

4 thoughts on “Resolutions (part two)

  1. Well, I always do resolution and always break them after a while. I have resolved to do a more conscious and meaningful quiet time and I’m going offline back to paper for that. As for Mr. Edward’s very intimidating list I have been thinking about a phrase I just read. In describing someone it was said that she “did ordinary things with extraordinary love”. I think this is what I want to go for. Live more intentionally in that way in every area of my life.

  2. Xergio, nice resolutions, and great quote! Maybe it will make up for “medication” comments on the the previous post.

  3. Resolved, to learn to express myself half as eloquently as Jonathan Edwards.
    Resolved, to never make another resolution of my own but just to read JE’s every once in a while when I need a kick in the pants.
    Resolved, to display JE’s #5 about never wasting a moment in a prominent place and try to get that one right by the end of my life.
    Thanks for sharing, Love – good, strong, stuff!

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