Doing Thinking Being #1

So I’ve set up a blog. It’s called ‘Doing...Thinking...Being.’ It’s my new way to try and focus my brain… 

Sometimes I feel that life just runs away from me. As my brother Stephen frequently says, “There’s not enough hours in the day.” I’m frequently wishing for an extra hour, frequently wishing for an extra day, if only to catch up with myself.

This Christmas and New Year was great for me. There were special family times. There were lazy, late nights watching films. There were lovely walks in the milder-than-usual-but-still-chilly-enough-to-wear-my-new-hat air. 

More than that, it was a time for me to take stock, to re-align and re-focus, to think and process.

I’m a Christian, and I see life along these lines: 

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”      
(1 Corinthians 10:31)

I felt that I wasn’t really doing this. I was reminded of John Piper’s book ‘Don’t Waste Your Life.’ I read it some years ago, and it had a considerable impact on me then. I was struck by how much time I spend doing things that are ultimately useless, a waste.

One of the key stories Piper shares is of a couple who retired to Florida, to go cruising on their fancy boat, collect shells and play softball.  But what a tragedy this is. He pictures them standing before Christ when he returns: “Look Lord. See my shells.” Maybe for my generation it will be more like “Look Lord. See my apps.” Tragic.

At New Year many people make resolutions. Around that time I was looking at Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions. He made 70, and resolved to read over them at least once a week. I feel more than overawed when reading through them; he set some mighty high standards.

“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.”

Edwards knew that he would only be able to keep his resolutions with God’s help.  He knew that he was still far from perfect, and sought God’s help to keep them only if they were what He endorsed. The point was that these resolutions were made to assist Edwards in glorifying Christ in all things.

I found out on Sunday past that William Booth also made resolutions. He kept his to only 6, but they are no less of a standard. I like his practical simplicity (maybe because I’m simple and like to be practical…).

Booth’s 6 Resolutions:

1. That I will rise every morning sufficiently early to wash, dress and have a few minutes, not less than 5, in private prayer.         
2. That I will, as much as possible, avoid all that babbling and idle talk, in which I have lately so sinfully indulged.
3. That I will endeavour in my conduct and deportment before the world and my fellow servants especially to conduct myself as a humble, meek, and zealous follower of Christ, and by serious conservation and waning endeavour to lead them to think of their immortal souls.
4. That I will read no less than 4 chapters in God's word every day.              
5. That I will strive to live closer to God, and to seek after holiness of heart and leave providential events with God.
6. That I will read over this everyday or at least twice a week.

As a youth worker for a busy youth project, a band member, a husband and family member, I sometimes spend too much of my time doing. In any spare time that I do have I often find myself at one screen or another. Sometimes my iPhone, sometimes my laptop, sometimes my TV. I find it all too easy to get lost in the world of Facebook, or in reading articles about sport (particularly rugby), or in playing silly wee games.

I often think about things, but don’t often think to a conclusion. Perhaps it’s because I crowd out thoughts with everything else that goes on in my life. I don’t take the time out to step back and process.

I struggle to just be sometimes.  First and foremost I want to ‘be’ in relationship with God. Since New Year I’ve started reading through ‘The One Year Bible’ each morning. I long to spend more time in prayer and biblical meditation or reflection.

Some of the greatest times of being for me are when I’m out in God’s creation. 

I love sitting watching glorious sunsets.                             Psalm19:1-6 (ESV)          

I love going out to my back garden and having a fire.        Hebrews12:28-29 (ESV)

I love standing in a loch or sea in my wellies.                     Psalm 33:6-9 (NLT)

There’s more occasions, but these are some of the things that help me to just be. To be in awe of the Creator of the universe. Even more, to be in awe of the Creator who came into his creation, to redeem it.

I’m at a point where I feel it’s time to get a grip. I need to be more balanced in my doing, my thinking and my being. I want all my doing, thinking and being to be to God’s glory.

Part of this is taking a leaf out of Edwards’ and Booth’s books.

I’m making three key resolutions:

1.      Get up early to read the bible and pray

2.      Pray more, and pray often.

3.      Make the most of time - plan more and use spare time in a wiser way

I’ve been keeping a list of things I want to do better, or simply just do. They’re in no particular order. They’re just a bunch of stuff that I feel I let slip all too easily. Not necessarily anything deep.

·        Keep the car tidy.

·        Stop using my phone while on toilet

·        Do dishes straight after dinner

·        Read more

·        Shave at least once a week (normally a Tuesday)

·        Cut my hair at least once every four weeks

·        Get some exercise (cut down on my pork life)

·        Write things down.

·        Make contact with other people (make phone calls and such like)

·        Don't let two days pass without playing guitar

·        Go to more rugby matches

·        Do something nice for Cara at least once a week

·        Learn a wee bit of Gaelic every week

·        Go to bed at a reasonable time (don't just faff about for pure ages)

·        Get cycling

·        Print photos

·        Be less critical/cynical

·        Write some music

·        Watch the news sometimes

·        Read this list now and then!

·        Start a blog.

·        Just be.

I started writing this about five weeks ago. I think the fact it’s taken until now to finish it demonstrates exactly what I’m thinking about. 

I wish I had some more time.

I want to live for God’s glory.

I don’t want to waste my life. 

I’m making some resolutions.

Knowing that I can only do any of this by the grace of God, I pray that He will give me the strength to glorify Him in all my doing, thinking and being. 

Soli Deo Gloria! 
- To God Alone Be The Glory!

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

http://theresurgence.com/files/pdf/jonathan_edwards_1723_the_resolutions.pdf

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards - put in helpful sections.