I have mixed feelings about New Years Resolutions. On the one hand I figure if there is something in my life that needs to change I should get on it right away rather than waiting for a New Year to start. On the other hand, New Years serves as a built-in opportunity to stop, consider our lives, and make adjustments where necessary. Tomorrow I'll be posting a list of questions by Donald Whitney that will help you do just that.
The practice of making resolutions (New Years or otherwise) has a distinguished history. I'm thinking of the famous resolutions drafted by Jonathan Edwards as a young man. He drafted 70 resolutions over the space of a couple years, at an age not much older than the students in five15. Edwards' resolutions cover a range of spiritual and social topics, committing himself to virtue and godliness in all things. Most of these are brief and penetrating: "Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live." "Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life."
Inspired by Edwards, I want to propose 9 (teenage) resolutions for 2009. Take these or leave them, edit them, make them your own.
- Resolved, to read the Bible daily. Reading all the way through the Bible in a year is a great goal, but some might want to start with a more modest ambition: reading some Scripture each day. Don't get so caught up in getting the reading done that you miss the grace and help that is available on every page of God's Word! If you need one, you can choose one of several great Bible reading plans from the ESV website.
- Resolved, to pray daily. Mark gave us a great jumpstart on this with his message on Sunday. Listen this Sunday for more good advice. Still not sure what to pray? Use John Piper's list of everything they prayed for in the New Testament.
- Resolved, to read good books. So many good books, so little time. How about in 2009, put down the remote, close Facebook, and read a book. Not sure what to read? Watch for a brief list of ten recommendations on Friday.
- Resolved, to honor my parents. Committing to this in the abstract is one thing, living it out in real life is something else. Talk to Dad and Mom about how you can grow in this in 2009.
- Resolved, to lay down my life for others, especially my siblings. See comments under #4!
- Resolved, to serve the church. Are you using your gifts to build the church? Talk to your parents about where you can serve that would make best use of the gifts God has given you.
- Resolved, to do the work of an evangelist. Who do you know that you commit to bring the gospel to this year?
- Resolved, to glorify God by enjoying the gifts he gives. Let's be observant of answered prayer and grateful for God's many gifts to us. It pleases him when we enjoy his gifts with gratitude.
- Resolved, to walk in a manner worth of the gospel of Christ. May this commitment permeate all that we do in 2009.
How about you? What resolutions are you making for the coming year?
Coming up:
1/1: 10 Questions for 2009
1/2: 10 Books for 2009
Posted on
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
by Steve Whitacre