It’s easy to think that Jonathan Edwards knew the difference that he would make but that’s probably not the case. People that are world-changers may even go their entire lives not realizing how much God will use them. They simply focus on the next act of obedience in front of them and try to be faithful. Edwards’ 11th resolution was…

Resolved, When I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

Jonathan Edwards is credited with some of the most profound theological insights that our nation has ever come across. What I wonder is if Jonathan Edwards had any clue that he would eventually be looked to the way that he is looked to. I think that this simple resolution that he came up with early in his life was his way of saying that he would contribute in the best way that he knew how. I don’t think he said to himself one day, “I’m going to revolutionize theological thinking for generations to come.” He probably just realized that he had a part to play just like the rest of us and the rest is history.

I’m not Jonathan Edwards and neither are you. Wouldn’t it be easy for us to not take this resolution seriously because we don’t feel like we’re real theologians? Edwards probably didn’t realize he was either. What if each of us simply tried to learn and grow as much as possible? What if we did what we could to move past theological difficulties and confusions to reach the profundity that comes with simplicity? Generations after us may benefit from our revelations even though we never anticipated that we’d have that kind of impact.