How to Make Every Moment Matter – Glorifying God in the Sacred Ordinary

Hello, and welcome to the Reforming Womanhood. Today we are exploring Jonathan Edwards’ first two resolutions and learning how to make every moment matter in our lives as Christian women. I’m excited that you’re joining me for another week on this journey.

If you are just joining us, last week, we started our series, A Year of Resolve. We met Jonathan Edwards, and we talked about the 70 resolutions he wrote before he was 20. We also discussed that this year long journey of applying these resolutions to biblical womanhood wasn’t about perfection, but about growth through the work of the Holy Spirit. If you’d like to read that one first click here.

You can also listen to this post on my Reforming Womanhood podcast.

Before You Can Make Every Moment Matter

Before we dive into the first resolution, let’s see what Jonathan Edwards wrote before his list of resolutions.

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

This was not just a formal intro. This was him acknowledging his complete dependency on God and using that as his foundation to make every moment matter. His first resolution says,

“Resolved that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God and my own good profit and pleasure and the whole of my duration without any consideration of the time whether now or never so many myriads of time hence, resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolve so to do whatever difficulties I meet with how many so ever and how great so ever.”

In this first resolution, we see that Edwards isn’t just half-heartedly making resolutions. He is committing to pursue God’s glory, his eternal good, and what is good for humanity. And he is committed to do these no matter the cost. Before we break down this resolution, let me remind you of John 17:17.

“Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth.”

We need to remember to hold everything up to the truth of God’s word. So grab your bible, journal, and a cup of coffee or tea, and let’s learn about how these resolutions can be applied to our lives as Christian women today.

Resolutions One

We’re going to start by rereading Edward’s first resolution because there’s a lot there.

“Resolved that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God and my own good profit and pleasure in the whole of my duration without any consideration of the time whether now or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolve to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolve so to do whatever difficulties I meet with how many so ever and how great so ever. Edwards covers a lot in this one resolution. It’s not just about living for God’s glory, it’s about what’s best for ourselves and all mankind.”

It’s about doing it with eternity in mind no matter the difficulty. Let’s look at some scriptures that support the ideas in this resolution. We’re gonna start with 1 Corinthians 10:31. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Paul is connecting God’s glory with us doing basic and mundane tasks if we are doing it with our right heart.

Next, let’s look at Matthew 5 16. Jesus says, “in the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven.” Here we see the connection between how our good works benefit others and bring glory to God. Now I know it can be hard to see how our small everyday obedience can really benefit mankind. So we need to look and ask the holy spirit to help us see the impact.

How Could I Make Every Moment Matter Without an Audience

Let me share a personal example. Last week, when I was struggling with whether to launch this podcast, I was reminded of this resolution. This podcast isn’t about bringing God glory just by stating the fact that he deserves it. It’s about what would truly benefit others and lead them to glorify God as well. It was tempting to fall into the negative thoughts that no one would be interested, that I would only have 1 or 2 listeners.

So I dug into that and I asked what kind of impact I could have on others if only one person followed me on this journey. For 1, I knew I could benefit greatly from the accountability and weekly overview of these resolutions. It would help me live and parent in a God honoring way, pointing my children to glorify God in all they do. And, Lord willing, the 6 of them will grow to do good works for the glory of God and pass that desire on to the next generation. For me, that would be everything.

Now, add in the one person following along and the impact that this journey will have on her and the way she lives her life. As she grows closer to God and is glorifying him in her daily walk, she will be being seen by those around her, whether that’s fellow students, co workers, her spouse, children, family, or friends. What impact can that one listener have because we were both faithful to do our duty?

Good Profit vs Selfish Ambition

Now, let’s look at Philippians 2:3-4. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest but also to the interest of others.”

Did you notice it says, “do nothing for selfish ambition?” But Edwards resolution says, “my own good profit and pleasure.” Is this going against scripture? No.

This is not the selfish pleasure that the Bible warns us against. It’s the pleasure we see in Psalms 30 7:4 which says, “delight yourselves in the Lord and he will give you that the desires of your heart.” When we are in God’s will, our good and his glory line up.

Make Every Moment Matter Even When Difficult

The last part of the resolution presents the biggest challenge to me. “Whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great so ever.”

This reminds me of Galatians 6:9, “and let us not grow weary of doing good for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.” It’s easy to do the right thing when it’s easy. But this resolution is asking us to commit to do what brings God glory and benefits others even when it’s hard.

What I love about this resolution is how it speaks to the fact that living for God’s glory isn’t an abstract idea. It plays out in our everyday life. It’s about making choices that benefit others. It’s about persevering and doing the right thing, especially when it’s hard. And it’s about finding joy that comes with aligning our goals with God’s purpose.

Resolution Two

Let’s move on to Edward’s second resolution.

“Resolved to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivances and invention to promote the aforementioned things.”

“Continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance?” Doesn’t that sound odd to us? But simply speaking in modern language, he is talking about being creative and intentional and how to pursue God’s glory and the good of others.

It’s easy to fall into routines and do the same thing in the same way every time. This is true when it comes to our spiritual life. It’s easy for bible reading and prayer to become something we tick off a list. This resolution challenges us to intentionally and creatively pursue God’s glory in our daily walk.

When I first started studying these resolutions, I was pretty comfortable in my spiritual habits. I was on track with my bible reading plan. I was attending church in Sunday school and I was making time for prayer every day.

But this resolution had me asking, am I actually looking for new ways to glorify God and serve others?

Practical Applications

What are some practical ways we can apply this?

In your spiritual life –

Instead of just reading your bible–

• Try journaling about what you read
• Creating scripture art of the passage
• Picking a specific verse to meditate on each day.

Rather than just praying-

• Keep a prayer journal where you can go back and document how prayers were answered
• Start praying for these things you haven’t before such as your local government or school board
• Start praying the scriptures.

When memorizing scripture-

• Choose a longer passage
• Find a passage set to music and learn it
• Get an accountability partner.

How about some practical ways to apply this in our homes?

• We can find ways to praise and worship during chores
• Create family traditions that point to Christ
• Work on developing systems and routines that free us up for time for study, ministry, and service.

And then what does this look like in our relationships?

• How about finding creative ways to share the gospel with your kids throughout the day?
• Looking for ways to encourage your loved ones and their walk with Christ?
• Contacting others each week to see how they are, what needs they have, and how you can be praying for them.

Real Life Examples

I’ll share one thing we have done in my home that is bringing God glory. We have added Advent and Easter studies to our family traditions. We use the ones from Not Consumed and my kids really enjoy them. They have cards that hang on the wall, which help keep us accountable to do our study every day.

This podcast is also an example of this resolution in action. Creatively thinking about what new way I could glorify God and benefit others led me to sharing biblical truths with other women on this platform.

Caution

But let’s be careful and realize that this resolution is not about continual change or discontinuing practices that are benefiting us. It’s all about being intentional in our pursuit of God and how we can make every moment matter.

Think of areas in your life where you may feel stuck.

Is bible study feeling tiring? Could you try a different approach?

Has serving in church ministry become routine? What could you do to spark joy in this area of service?

Are your children not wanting to participate in family devotions? What creative elements could you add?

Reflecting on How to Make Every Moment Matter

Now let’s pause and reflect on Edward’s first two resolutions. We see him humbly acknowledge that he is wholly dependent on God to keep these resolutions. We’ve seen that he is committed to live for God’s glory, his eternal good, the good of humanity, and continually finding new ways to pursue God’s glory.

Together, we looked at scriptures that reinforce these principles, and we explored some practical ways to apply them to our daily lives.

But are you feeling overwhelmed by these resolutions? Remind yourself that Edwards didn’t say he was already doing these, but that he was making a commitment and he started by acknowledging his need for God’s help.

Like him, we must learn to trust in God to work in us and embrace the grace he gives us. So pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Start small. Try pausing before at least one decision today to ask, Does this glorify God? Does this serve my good? Does this benefit others?

Your Homework to Make Every Moment Matter

Before we close today, I want to encourage you to write your own version of these resolutions or write out some specific ways you can make every moment matter by applying them. I’d love to hear what you have come up with. Share your personal resolution or thoughts with me on Instagram or in the comment section below.

I hope to see you back here next week. Until then, remember, we serve a God who is faithful to help us keep our resolutions.