Improve yourself. That mandate was calling me out sometime after registering 1Glories.com on a divinely inspired whim. I realized with remorse that I had allowed myself to indulge and delight in the pursuit of temporal pleasures of the world. Those things that I came to realize were fun, interesting, and enjoyable. Although, they also were costly both in worldly perspective and in light of eternity.
Convicted, I was realizing many of my ways were motivated by selfish ambition, pride and a means of gamifying my life. That latter reasoning was a matter of keeping it interesting.
1Glories started in 2012 with an intention to profile “stories of God’s glory.” It’s how the ebook “Greater Desires” developed. But things didn’t take off. Something still wasn’t right. I was missing the target God established for me.
Sometime around the writing of Listen Up Kids, I came to realize God was wanting me to improve myself by being the story of God’s glory most profiled here. But it still was not about me. It was about doing my part to inspire others to a deeper understanding and more passionate pursuit of the hard road of discipleship.
And then the mission of “refining life, on purpose” came to light. Since then, I’ve taken on multiple studies and means of observations with the intent of incorporating key lessons and revelations into my own life and walk. Today, as we complete a two-year study of Edwards’ resolutions, I’ll explain exactly what this means now and going forward.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 69
Edwards’ Resolution #69 (as it was written)
Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.
Edwards’ Resolution #69 (in my modernized language)
Always observe with the intention of improving yourself.
If you want to improve yourself, remember that an overnight success doesn’t happen overnight. There’s years of effort and dedication leading to the rise. And understand that discipleship is a life-long pursuit involving determination, hard work, mistakes, and role models. Put in the time.
Steal Like an Artist
A former coworker introduced me to a fun little book called Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, by Austin Kleon. Labeling himself as “a writer who draws,” Kleon gave a talk based on a list of 10 things he wished he’d been told while starting out.
In this manifesto of sorts, he says that “all creative work builds upon what came before.” If you are unfamiliar with the book or Kleon’s work, I highly suggest you check it out. A good primer can be had by viewing Kleon’s TEDx Talk.
Now, I am in no way advocating outright theft, nor am I suggesting it’s okay to plagiarize. It’s not (in case you’re wondering). But I am advocating the adoption of wisdom from others into your life. It’s one of the driving themes found in my book, Listen Up, Kids and the Year of Listening Up (TLU) series that have followed every year since.
As Kleon says,
You are a mashup of what you let into your life.
Ultimately, your life is defined and driven by your worldview. That set of beliefs and convictions framing your every motive and action. The ways in which your creativity – be it your art, your trade, your teaching, your character, etc. – shines before the always observing world. You view those who came before. And you build upon what you observe, learn, and come to “create” in your own right.
That’s your mashup.
And shouldn’t your mashup include as much of the good stuff and wisdom from those who came before you? Indeed, it’s the only way to ensure your legacy is worth “stealing” by those who follow.
Stealing from Edwards
At the beginning of every new year, you’ll find countless publications and bloggers talking about New Year’s Resolutions. Many of them either reference or flat out list Edwards’ Resolutions. Few of them will expound upon them. (Note: One exception I DID find is one from Nathan Busenitz via the Cripplegate, in which Edwards’ resolutions are subcategorized into 10 categories).
I noticed his words were just reposted rather than discussed with take-a-ways and it left me wanting. So I decided to take the fork in the road. I set out to study these resolutions for a full year. Not because I think Edwards is above scripture, but because I wanted to understand scripture through the wisdom of Edwards. Sometimes, the viewpoint was clear. In many, it was blurry. And I have no doubt that I totally missed his thoughts on many.
So, yes, studying the Edwards’ resolutions proved to be much harder, more intense, and of higher reward than I imagined. In fact, what I thought would be a one-year effort turned into a two-year study. One of significant personal growth. Further, I have incorporated what I’ve learned into my understanding of being a dedicated disciple.
And I am now even more convinced that we are specifically dropped into a particular place and time. It’s with purpose. Not by accident. Cherish the fact that the time chosen for us is now. You see, in addition to having unprecedented access to more personal influences than anyone who came before you, there are no doubt other role models in your life.
Take it all in and discern your own understanding so you may further improve yourself in sync with God as you’re perfected for eternal citizenship.
Discipleship is More than a Few Simple Steps
One of the most significant things I’ve learned from watching others and studying Edwards is what I can only term as “the right form of Christian Living.” The particular place and time I have been dropped into is one in which people are famous simply for being famous. It’s a culture with addiction to now and instant gratification. A world where everything is expected to come with an easy button and a robot to do everything.
There is a pill for every sniffle. Instead of following a healthy diet and incorporating organic exercise into our routines, we look for miracle elixirs and six-minute abs. Many public school strategies focus on teaching students how to take tests rather than exhibiting learned knowledge of subject matter. Video games are mastered through cheat codes instead of experiencing a learning process through trial and error.
Faster and faster. More and more. There’s no end to all that we crave.
Yet this craving is misguided and distorted. That’s because, in the pursuit of more, despite countless conveniences that should add time to life – we earmark fewer resources for God.
Designing Room for God and Discipleship
How do we cultivate a deep craving for God’s will in our lives? It’s not something that just happens when we pray to accept Jesus. It’s not a button we press, and it’s not something we can watch a YouTube video to get the gist of it.
The various children’s sermon answers are obvious: go to church, read your bible, pray, attend a Bible study. Those things are certainly important. However, they’re not things to checkoff on a holy checklist. They are not “four easy steps” of discipleship.
No, discipleship is a lifelong pursuit that carries beyond this world into eternity.
#Discipleship is a lifelong pursuit that carries beyond this world into eternity. Click To TweetOne of the preachers that Edwards admired, Thomas Manton, did his sermons as a verse-by-verse study of Scripture. In so doing, he uncovered and related significant meaning for those who heard. So dedicated was he, that he preached hundreds of sermons on Psalm 119 in addition to virtually all the books of the Bible. Often, as is the case of his sermons on Psalm 119, he delivered multiple sermons on a single verse.
He no doubt left an impression on Edwards. Dare I say, he was worthy of stealing from.
While we all may, at times, long to emulate those who strike it rich in the lottery or win big on game shows, such prize comes with a cost. Lacking discipline to manage the newfound wealth, most folks in such a position are bankrupt a relative short while after.
And similarly, we all might desire to invent something that changes the world and grants us all the security of personal wealth. Or perhaps become a well paid professional athlete.
However, overnight successes rarely (if ever) truly happen over night. It requires so much more in the years and decades leading to the visible rise. Discipleship is no different.
God is preparing you for eternity. I highly doubt he’s going to put in a small amount of time preparing you for it. Indeed, discipleship is a life-long pursuit.
Put in the time.