Resolved

Since it is the beginning of a new year and I have much more mental energy to devote to my inner life, I thought that taking some time to make resolutions for 2012 would be a good idea. Many things will be new for me in 2012 whether I resolve to do them or not. I will be a father to a daughter in a month (or maybe less) and I will no longer have my time accounted for mostly by graduate school. That means more time to focus on caring for my wife and my own soul. I fear that I have been in survival mode for quite a while and I’ve almost forgotten how to slow down and engage with God and with people meaningfully. I have tried to live most of the last 2 years in my own strength and with my own priorities. In hindsight I can see that my pride in myself has swelled while my reliance on God has waned. In light of these realizations, I hope to make some doable resolutions for the next year (or maybe even just the next week for starters).

In the manner of Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions, I make my own for the coming year:

1. Resolved, to think less of my desires for comfort and more of the health of my soul. 
2. Resolved, to dwell more upon the despicableness of my sin and develop a more passionate distaste for it. 
3. Resolved, to take my cares, worries, temptations and successes to God in prayer at least once a day. 
4. Resolved, to spend less time consuming media and more time interacting with people. 
1. Resolved, in particular, to care less about sports this time next year and to let it have less of a hold on my affections.
5. Resolved, to pray for my wife and daughter at least once a day. 

I may make other resolutions but I think that these 5 are things that I can actually make progress toward. My soul is my primary concern this year as I feel that my heart is much colder toward God than it has been in my Christian life.

My goal in writing this is not to boast or induce guilt in others, but to articulate hopes and goals that my family and community can help me keep. I offer my thanks in advance to those who will help me keep these resolutions.