Resolved...
I'm not making any new resolutions. Heaven knows I've promised the world a hundred times over and only managed to plunge myself into depression and self-loathing. This is not to say that I don't still enjoy reading a good resolution from time to time. I ran across some particularly inspiring ones just today while reading, When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy, by John Piper. When Jonathan Edwards was a young man, he wrote out--no kidding--seventy resolutions. Piper quotes three that he has found particularly useful in his own fight for joy.
Number 22: "Resolved, To endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of."
Number 28: "Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, so that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same."
Number 6: "Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live."
I like number 6 the best.
Number 22 reminds me of conversation I had with Dr. Hake once. I went to his office to ask about the efficacy of fasting (I wanted to know whether it works! :-p ). He shared some past experiences, and let me in on the fact that he was currently in the middle of a week long fast. He didn't tell me that it worked--he told me that if there were any possibility that a given action or discipline would catalyze in him a fuller knowledge of the gospel, a deepened affection for Christ, or a closer walk with God, then he would try it. God has not hidden Himself; he has not made the path of life a secret; yet there are no end to the delights that may be found by those willing to probe deeper and seek out the manifold riches of His grace.
Number 22: "Resolved, To endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of."
Number 28: "Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, so that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same."
Number 6: "Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live."
I like number 6 the best.
Number 22 reminds me of conversation I had with Dr. Hake once. I went to his office to ask about the efficacy of fasting (I wanted to know whether it works! :-p ). He shared some past experiences, and let me in on the fact that he was currently in the middle of a week long fast. He didn't tell me that it worked--he told me that if there were any possibility that a given action or discipline would catalyze in him a fuller knowledge of the gospel, a deepened affection for Christ, or a closer walk with God, then he would try it. God has not hidden Himself; he has not made the path of life a secret; yet there are no end to the delights that may be found by those willing to probe deeper and seek out the manifold riches of His grace.
"To endeavor... in any way that can be thought of."
posted by Motokeb at 7:34 PM
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