2011: Resolution & Vision
January 3, 2011
The fifth resolution of Jonathan Edwards, an early theologian, is “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.” Basically, we need to cherish and use every minute of the day for God’s glory and never waste anything. We do not need to be wasting our lives with garbage. We are like a mist in the world and God can take us away very quickly.
2011 will be an important year for me, I believe. I have been on my own fully for half of 2010 so 2011 will be a complete year of being on my own. That is a big thing, but there’s more important things. I have one major resolution in 2011 that will, hopefully, start my “vision”, or calling. In two words, my resolution is to “Make War” as the Tedashii song goes.
Now, for the record, this doesn’t mean to go to war physically and shoot people. Read Colossians 3:5. We are to “put to death” all sins (and it lists them out in categories of types). This is what the “make war” means. And this is a HUGE resolution. It is part of my vision because I need to make war to all the sins that are in my life to prepare myself for something even greater.
I also believe 2011 will be an incredible year in the life of my church, Living Hope Church (ourhopeisalive.com). The city of Mobile is like a belt loop in this “Bible Belt”, but it is a lost city. People are able to hide in churches more in Mobile, than in cities where churches can be somewhat scarce.
As I start “making war” to these sins and putting them to death (and I will always be doing this because I am human), I want to also pursue my vision that I believe God has given me. Well I at least want to start it because I know it will not be complete or even close to climax by the end of this year. I have shared with a few people that my “vision” or calling is to reach children and youth in today’s culture. I have a heart, I believe, for children and youth. I love kids. And our children/youth in today’s culture have so many things bombarding them that this year and next year will probably be crucial to what path they end up taking.
So I do not know exactly how this “vision” will start, but I know it needs to start now. I do not believe this will be a typical, American “youth ministry” but we will see what God lays on my heart. I am going to Uganda this summer to work with several orphanages there. I am very excited about this and to be able to reach out to the kids and youth over there. But, I can’t just stop there. Those children and youth need Christ and hope. But so do our children and youth here. In fact, our children and youth have this “false hope” they are being bombarded with in America, actually several “false” hopes. So I can’t just stop after the Uganda trip. I can’t just check that off my list. That is only the beginning of something amazing.
I leave you with this. Pray for me. Pray that God will keep showing me this vision I have. Pray for the children and youth in America, but also around the world that need Jesus and need this true Hope that can only be found in Christ.
Grace abounds.
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