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.”

Mark 12: 30-31

It struck me as I began typing the date for today’s post it seemed odd that I will not use 2021 as a date for future emails. Some of us are glad to see the year in the rearview mirror, but hopefully, we are all looking forward to 2022.

And so, over the next few days, many will consider resolutions for the New Year.  Some time ago, I listened to a podcast that referred to a list of resolutions compiled by Christian preacher, philosopher, and theologian Jonathan Edwards.  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.

According to the words of Christ in the passage 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.

I have an idea for a change I will make going forward. What one action can/will you take to confirm your love for God going forward? I have an idea for a change I will make going forward.