Example Of Spiritual Resolutions Essay

Spiritual Resolutions

The primary spiritual resolutions that I wish to pursue this year are primarily concerned with gaining more knowledge and understanding of God. This is because it is my goal in life to imitate Christ in everything that I do. Jesus is the best example of living a life of humility and service, so I plan on reading the Gospel’s more to get a better account of how to treat others, and get a better perspective of where I am in reflecting Christ. Furthermore, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great spiritual discipline, and I hope to continue my daily devotions and spend more time in contemplation and meditation of God’s word. I do not just want to passively read the text, but engage the text, ask questions about, and seek to find the true message of what God is revealing in his Word. Meditation is necessary because it will contain practical knowledge and reveal the truth and power of the Gospel.
Another spiritual discipline and resolution I hope to practice is that of prayer. Simply reading and meditating over God’s word, while good, is not the only thing that needs to be emphasized. Prayer is another crucial aspect of the Christian life, and something that I hope to improve upon. Just like Jonathan Edwards put in place set prayers for virtually every occasion of the day, I too hope to emulate this practice. It is easy to fall into habits or routines that are set around worldly items, like eating, TV, or sports. I believe prayer should be the most important routine, and is something that I hope to continue and place as a higher influence in my life. Prayer comes in all types and forms, so communicating with God on every detail in my life is important. These items include everything, from praying for my husband to get a job that will allow him to attend church, to asking God for his help in getting me to maintain better eating habits.
Along with my resolutions about scripture and prayer, there are also many family resolutions that I hope to achieve and work toward. There is always the parenting that we do with our one child, as well as a prayerful consideration of adding another child. Furthermore, there is the goal to be the spouse as possible to my husband, as a strong family is important to God. I also hope to counsel my high school nieces, both in terms of their career, but also in spiritual matters. These goals can be achieved by studying scripture and prayer, because everything that happens in life flows through the Spirit. I cannot achieve these family goals on my own. I need the help of God and the Holy Spirit in everything that I do.
Finally, I have a few ministerial goals that I will need God’s help to achieve. It is my goal to work in the military as a chaplain, so graduating from school will be a first step to that plan. Then there will be the time of enlisting, and finally, spreading the word of God to all in the military. Once again, only through God will I be able to achieve these goals, and I firmly believe God is calling me to this area of leadership. Through the Spirit, I believe I can achieve these goals.

References

Strobel, Kyle. Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards. Intervarsity, 2013. Print
"Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)." Bible.org. Accessed January 28, 2015. https://bible.org/illustration/jonathan-edwards-1703-1758.
Edwards, Jonathan, and Stephen J. Nichols. Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions ; And, Advice to Young Converts. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Pub., 2001.