Another year is about to end and I am doing what I always do–assessing. Assessing what worked, what didn’t, what has fallen short and what has overflowed abundantly in my heart. It’s an arduous process, that is, reflecting. It always leaves me feeling inadequate. At the same time, it gives me hope that a new year, (and a new decade in more ways than one for me) will provide just the opportunity for a fresh start, a new beginning, and maybe a purer heart.

 Jonathan Edwards at the age of 19, purportedly recorded in one sitting, these 26 resolutions for his life. I am particularly interested in #22:

Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

The thought of living every moment with eternal perspective, in particular, eternal joy, absolutely is beyond my reach, but for a God who grants it by grace. However, a resolve on my part to want and pursue it with all of my being radically changes the paradigm. How badly do you want Him, Annette? How much do you seek Him? The ball is more in my court than I thought. This kind of grace doesn’t just happen haphazardly. It is deliberate and purposeful. My “theme” for 2009 was contentment. I will extend that to not just be a vision, but a working objective in 2010. Resolved, I will seek eternal joy!

If you’re wondering why this post is titled as it is, they were my watchwords in my reading tonight in Revelation 2 from The Message–“Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

Blessed Sunday to each of you. May the Wind Words of the Holy Spirit blow through your church today!