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| Blogger: Amber Lemus |
As we step into a new year, many of us take time to reflect on our goals and aspirations. We make promises to ourselves, our families, and even our social media followers. But have you ever wondered how people in the past approached New Year's resolutions?
Today we're going to explore two of the most famous new year resolutions in history by two great men of God, Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley.
Travel with me back to 1723, when a young Jonathan Edwards, a prominent American theologian and pastor, penned a remarkable set of resolutions. Edwards, only 20 years old at the time, wrote 70 resolutions, ranging from the spiritual to the practical. These 70 heartfelt commitments, written in his own handwriting, would serve as a guiding force for the rest of his life, shaping him into one of the most influential theologians and pastors in American history.
Edwards' resolutions reveal a young man deeply committed to living a life of purpose and devotion to God. He vowed to "live with all my might while I do live" (Resolution 6), to "never do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life" (Resolution 19), and to "never do anything out of revenge" (Resolution 21). He also committed to "never speak anything that is ridiculous or matter of laughter" (Resolution 45), to "never omit anything that is my duty" (Resolution 28), and to "be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality" (Resolution 42).
Edwards' resolutions were not merely a product of youthful idealism; they reflected a deepening conviction that he needed to reform his own life and ministry. Just a few years prior, Edwards had experienced a profound spiritual awakening, which had left him with a sense of awe and reverence for God's sovereignty. His resolutions were, in part, a response to this experience, as he sought to consecrate himself to God's service.
Over the next several decades, Edwards would go on to become a leading figure in the First Great Awakening, a revival that swept across the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s. He would preach thousands of sermons, including his famous "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," and would play a key role in shaping American evangelicalism.
A few years after Edwards' did this, another well-known preacher also penned some profound resolutions.
At the end of 1732, Wesley had returned from a disappointing missionary journey to Georgia, where he struggled to connect with the colonists and Native Americans. Despite this setback, Wesley's experience in Georgia had deepened his conviction that he needed to reform his own life and ministry. His resolution on New Year's Day reflected this renewed sense of purpose. On January 1, 1733, he penned this in his journal: "I am resolved to dedicate all my life to God, and to His service." This commitment marked a pivotal moment in Wesley's spiritual journey, one that would propel him toward a life of tireless evangelism, innovative ministry, and unwavering devotion to God.
Over the next several years, Wesley's ministry would undergo a remarkable transformation. He would begin preaching outdoors, a radical departure from traditional Anglican practice, and would establish the Methodist movement, which emphasized personal holiness, social justice, and evangelism. Wesley's resolution had set him on a path that would take him to every corner of England, where he would preach thousands of sermons, establish hundreds of Methodist societies, and inspire countless people to follow Jesus.
As we reflect on our own New Year's resolutions, the examples of Edwards and Wesley challenge us to live a life of purpose and devotion to God. What promises will we make to ourselves and to God? How will we strive to live a life that honors Him? The resolutions of these two great men, penned nearly three centuries ago, remind us that sometimes, all it takes is a simple yet profound commitment to alter the course of our lives. Are we willing to surrender our lives, our plans, and our desires to His purposes?
Will you be making any resolutions this year? I'd love to hear them in the comments.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".
She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.
Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!
Today we're going to explore two of the most famous new year resolutions in history by two great men of God, Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley.
Travel with me back to 1723, when a young Jonathan Edwards, a prominent American theologian and pastor, penned a remarkable set of resolutions. Edwards, only 20 years old at the time, wrote 70 resolutions, ranging from the spiritual to the practical. These 70 heartfelt commitments, written in his own handwriting, would serve as a guiding force for the rest of his life, shaping him into one of the most influential theologians and pastors in American history.
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| By Henry Augustus Loop after Joseph Badger - Princeton University Art Museum, Public Domain |
Edwards' resolutions reveal a young man deeply committed to living a life of purpose and devotion to God. He vowed to "live with all my might while I do live" (Resolution 6), to "never do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life" (Resolution 19), and to "never do anything out of revenge" (Resolution 21). He also committed to "never speak anything that is ridiculous or matter of laughter" (Resolution 45), to "never omit anything that is my duty" (Resolution 28), and to "be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality" (Resolution 42).
Edwards' resolutions were not merely a product of youthful idealism; they reflected a deepening conviction that he needed to reform his own life and ministry. Just a few years prior, Edwards had experienced a profound spiritual awakening, which had left him with a sense of awe and reverence for God's sovereignty. His resolutions were, in part, a response to this experience, as he sought to consecrate himself to God's service.
Over the next several decades, Edwards would go on to become a leading figure in the First Great Awakening, a revival that swept across the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s. He would preach thousands of sermons, including his famous "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," and would play a key role in shaping American evangelicalism.
A few years after Edwards' did this, another well-known preacher also penned some profound resolutions.
At the end of 1732, Wesley had returned from a disappointing missionary journey to Georgia, where he struggled to connect with the colonists and Native Americans. Despite this setback, Wesley's experience in Georgia had deepened his conviction that he needed to reform his own life and ministry. His resolution on New Year's Day reflected this renewed sense of purpose. On January 1, 1733, he penned this in his journal: "I am resolved to dedicate all my life to God, and to His service." This commitment marked a pivotal moment in Wesley's spiritual journey, one that would propel him toward a life of tireless evangelism, innovative ministry, and unwavering devotion to God.
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| John Wesley By George Romney Public Domain |
Over the next several years, Wesley's ministry would undergo a remarkable transformation. He would begin preaching outdoors, a radical departure from traditional Anglican practice, and would establish the Methodist movement, which emphasized personal holiness, social justice, and evangelism. Wesley's resolution had set him on a path that would take him to every corner of England, where he would preach thousands of sermons, establish hundreds of Methodist societies, and inspire countless people to follow Jesus.
As we reflect on our own New Year's resolutions, the examples of Edwards and Wesley challenge us to live a life of purpose and devotion to God. What promises will we make to ourselves and to God? How will we strive to live a life that honors Him? The resolutions of these two great men, penned nearly three centuries ago, remind us that sometimes, all it takes is a simple yet profound commitment to alter the course of our lives. Are we willing to surrender our lives, our plans, and our desires to His purposes?
Will you be making any resolutions this year? I'd love to hear them in the comments.
Happy New Year, everyone!
*****
Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.
Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!
I have read the bios of both men. I didn't recall the resolutions. But their lives committed to Jesus changed the world. Thanks for sharing. I don't do resolutions because I tend to make my list too long and unattainable.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting today, and Happy New Year! I don't really do resolutions that I write down, but rather mentally reflect on the year past and think of how I want to change anything that stands out as something I could do better. God knows my heart, and I rely on Him to remind me of these needed improvements.
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