Resolved

Well folks the New Year has just begun!! New Year’s presents itself as a time for reflection, to examine the year that went before and sometimes resolve to change what will come in this next year.  I jumped the gun and did a lot of that already.  The changes I needed to make in my life were not ones that could wait for New Year’s.  I head into 2014 with a life that is already dramatically different than the years before and I am so thankful for the changes.

It has been my tradition on past New Year’s to look through Jonathan Edward’s resolutions.  He wrote out 70 resolutions that were not reserved for a New Year, but were part of the every day.  Resolutions that were written to help him focus on living every moment to the glory of God.  Here’s a link to the whole list in case you want to check them out yourself

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

One resolution of his that has always hit me is number six “Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.” Not live halfheartedly and coast through life but to live well, to enjoy life fully, to seek after the Lord fervently, to love hard, to be poured out as a drink offering. 

This one always hits me because I've had moments in my life when I've done what he’s talking about.  It’s incredible to live with all my might.  There’s a hope and wonder and joy that comes from knowing you’re being used fully.   The problem is that it has only been for moments, most of the time I haven’t lived anywhere close to that.   I've struggled with things that shouldn't matter.  I've moped around when I haven’t got the things I wanted. I've lived scared to let go of the familiar even when I knew it wasn't where I belonged.  I've lived angry.  I've lived worried.  I've lived in panic.  I've lived in sorrow.  I've lived in selfishness.  I've done all those things, but I have not lived with all my might.

I am not normally one to make resolutions, but this year I am going to make this one “To live with all my might while I do live” To live as one who smiles at the future.  To be a woman whose life reflects the glory of her King as it never has before.  To enjoy the wondrous gifts I have been given with zeal. To love hard.

This year is already so different than the last.  Sometimes the differences are overwhelming.  Yet I know this path is the right one even though I can only see a few paces ahead.  I prepare now to walk those steps with all my might,  meet  the road ahead with faith in the Lord who guides my steps and with songs of rejoicing in the good He has done and will do.