Monday, January 9, 2012

"Resolutions"

To be honest, I have never been a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions because it always seems that by February most of those "resolutions" seem to have gone down the drain. Whether it be a commitment to eat healthier, or exercise more, or lose weight, or be nicer.. all of those things are great but do we ever really think about staying faithful to those commitments? When you make one - whether you write it down or not - are you really determined to follow through for the entire year? What about the year after that? 


Well, although I don't think NYR's are that beneficial, I do think that the beginning of a new calendar year is an excellent time to reflect on the past 365 days and consider some changes you might make in the coming year. For me, 2011 was a year full of change: transitioning out of school, graduating, moving to a new state, starting a new full-time job, starting a new church, finding some friends, moving to a new apartment, and being a full-time seminary wife :) Needless to say, I am glad that 2012 has come and it can begin with a breath of fresh air. I've been reflecting mostly on my spiritual life and what areas that God wants me to grow in - things that I can intentionally do to learn more about the Lord & get to know Him better. Specifically, God has been laying on my heart two things: 1) Faithfulness in all things (1 Tim. 3:11) and 2) Spiritual disciplines/training in godliness (1 Tim. 4:7-8). The first, is regarding my faithfulness to my word, following through with commitments, and building trustworthiness within relationships. The second, refers to a greater commitment I want to put on my prayer life and personal Bible study, over and against the amount of time I spend exercising and working out. I know that a "godliness is a means of great gain when accompanied with contentment" and thus I an endeavoring to be more content in the Lord in 2012.

Also adding to the whole Resolutions kick is the fact that Chance has been talking non-stop about how he wants to read some work of Jonathan Edwards (greatest American theologian ever). So we have "resolved" (pun most definitely intended) to read through John Piper's work God's Passion For His Glory which combines Piper's and Edward's journeys to conviction in the sovereignty and absoluteness of God. We are thoroughly excited.




So what'll it be? What are you "resolving" to do in the new year?

(Note: Jonathan Edwards, at age 19, compiled a list of 70 'resolutions' that he used throughout his lifetime to direct his attention, focus, and energies on God and His glory)

2 comments:

  1. YES to Jonathan Edwards! I have that book of Piper's and have been meaning to read it for aaaages :) Miss you, sweet thang!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey girl! I miss you too! Well, you need to get on reading it then :) I've read the first chapter with Chance & it was just amazing.. made me really think about God's majesty & His desire for us to be happy in Him at all times. Hope you have been well & thank you for taking the time to read! I hope that you might be encouraged by what's said here.

    ReplyDelete