A Resolution Revolution

Well the remnants of a lovely Christmas are almost all packed away for another year, the diary for 2015 has been bought and thoughts turn to the arrival of the Year 2015. It’s inevitable really, that one begins to think of New Year’s Resolutions. Goals, hopes and dreams for the year ahead whispered into the night as the New Year begins. Problem is, I’m beginning to think many of my resolutions are the same as the year prior, and the one before that. In fact if I were to write my resolutions down I may as well laminate them and save time next year.

The key to success in any of our resolutions is to not do them alone. And while enlisting the aid and encouragement of friends and family is a great idea, I mean partnering with God. With God’s grace, we can. In the 1700s, Jonathan Edwards, minister and revivalist penned his own resolutions. They came with this introduction…

“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ’s sake.”

Amongst His 60 odd resolutions that covered Character, Time Management, Good Works, His relationship with God, was one that is particularly challenging and makes any other fade in comparison.

“On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true lustre, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time.”

Rather daunting really. But with the help of God – achievable!

Actually, St Richard of Chichester sums it all up in much simpler way. And for me, for 2015 I can think of no better resolution. And in fact one that should be laminated!

“Lord 3 things we pray: To love Thee more dearly, to see Thee more clearly, to follow Thee more nearly, day, by day, by day. Amen”