Resolved.

Every year when New Year’s Eve comes around, I realize that I haven’t thought of any resolutions to make for the upcoming year. At that point, I generally say to myself, “Ah, forget it, resolutions are stupid and impossible to keep anyway.”

For the last few years, I have been using the same resolutions and building upon them each year. These were originally inspired by the resolutions of the well-known 18th century American theologian, Jonathan Edwards. This year, I am using the same resolutions from last year, only again slightly altered and improved upon to reflect my ever changing life.

I resolve:

• to do whatever I believe is most for God’s glory and for my good.
• to do my duty for the good of mankind
• to always take risks and live as if it were the last hour of my life.
• to study the Bible steadily, frequently, and continually.
• to spend time in stillness, quiet, and in His presence each day.
• to ask myself at the end of each day, week, month, and year, “Could I have done any better?”
• to act as if I am not my own by fully and completely God’s.
• to never speak badly about anyone, but to instead speak life.
• to do all the good I can. By all the means I can. In all the ways I can. In all the places I can. At all times I can. To all people I can. As I ever can. (And, no. John Wesley actually never said this.)

On top of all of of these, of course, I add in the obligatory exercise more, eat healthier, save money, and grow in my relationship with God and others.