The elderly gentleman must have taken a good 30 seconds to cross the busy intersection, long after his right away had expired. Though thankful that he made safe passage, what caught my attention was the assurance with which he did it. Utterly dependent upon his cane, he leaned on it with utmost confidence. Each step was methodical in sequence. The stick touched the ground just at the very moment it was needed to support his next step. There was no pause, no moment of hesitation. He strode with great certainty.

Would it be a metaphorical stretch if I asked what life would be like if we leaned on Jesus in the same manner as the man his cane? What if every step we took was utterly dependent upon our Lord? Could we too move through life with an assurance where there is no pause or hesitation?

On my desk is a plaque with the following verse inscribed on it: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV).

I need a daily, perhaps hourly, reminder that what I lean on matters for I frequently get this wrong. Rather than surrender my concerns to Jesus, I too often try and remedy them. Rather than surrender my fears to Jesus, I too often try and assuage them. Rather than surrender my hurts to Jesus, I too often try and contextualize them. Unsurprisingly, none of this typically goes well.

And because bemoaning the fact that I don’t do what I’m supposed to do will only lead to more disobedience, I’m choosing to take a different path instead. I’m going to follow in the footsteps of the great American theologian Jonathan Edwards and establish a set of resolutions, formal declarations of action. Edwards wrote 70 of them. I’m content with just three at least for now. His preamble will serve as mine.

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.

Resolution 1: When a concern surfaces, I will without delay seek the Lord’s counsel via both Scripture and prayer.

Resolution 2: When a fear surfaces, I will without delay seek the Lord’s counsel via both Scripture and prayer.

Resolution 3: When a hurt surfaces, I will without delay seek the Lord’s counsel via both Scripture and prayer.^[1]

Though simple in construct, the three propositions carry great power if adopted. May I faithfully do so and receive the blessing that comes from truly leaning on the sovereign goodness of Jesus.

To the extent you are like me and don’t lean well, I encourage you to establish your own set of resolutions. May the Lord bless you for it.