And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Reflect:

In just a few days we will turn the page on another year. It is a time for resolutions and a hopeful outlook for the New Year. Last week I listened to a podcast that referred to a list of resolutions compiled by Christian preacher, philosopher, and theologian Jonathan Edwards. You can view the entire list with a click here. One of the most striking observations in the list is that Edwards made these decisions very early in life – before his 21st birthday.

“I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age.” ( July 8, 1723).

Edwards was determined to live a life without regrets. We can’t go back to those early years in our own lives, but we can learn from this list from nearly three hundred years ago and resolve to live a life of communion with God in the years ahead.

Respond:

According to the words of Christ above, it all begins with a deep and abiding love for the LORD. When we love God with all our hearts, our souls, our minds, our strength it encompasses every aspect of our life.

What one action can/will you take to confirm your love for God going forward?