JE's resolution #2: Seeking to be more effective

Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things

If you'd ask a housewife 40 years ago whether she would want to use a refrigerator, I think she would have said "yes, why not?". After all, why not use an appliance that would cut significantly visits to the market to buy dairy, poultry and vegetables? She would save money in transportation and have more time to invest in other house activities or even to rest.

Back then, of course, she would not have known that getting a refrigerator would do its part in stretching the hole in the ozone layer. This is no surprise. At that time no one wondered whether a connection between this global issue and the CFCs used as refrigerant fluids in refrigerators existed, to begin with.

But, what if our housewife knew about the ozone layer depletion? Well, then before purchasing the appliance, she would face only two choices: 1) to buy or 2) not to buy. Either choice will come with its own set of challenges and benefits. However, today she has got more choices. With CFCs phased out, she could get refrigerators equipped with HFC, a new set of refrigerants with low to zero ability to harm the ozone layer.

Nice story, but how that fits with this present resolution?

Interesting question. If the glory of God is our goal, if my own good is to be pursued and also the good of mankind in general, then our minds have to work really hard to get around all this. No easy task.

Without loosing sight of Who awaits us at the top of the summit, we begin the way up. Ascending is challenging. Therefore, should I not seek better tools to speed up my climbing? Should I not get a tent for shelter and rest? Should I refuse them? I'd be a fool if I do! Reflecting on this, we're led to a new set of questions:

1. Should I take advantage of innovative tools as they become available?
2. If so, which ones should I get? How many of these should I take?
3. What criteria should I use to refuse the ones I get to reject?
4. What if any should be my role in all this? Should I become a scientist of any sort? Or should I encourage people I know to become one? Or should I merely be an advocate of new stuff? Or should I activately promote these things? Or should I remain silent?

I acknowledge it's hard to get at what was Edwards intent while penning this resolution. I could only guess he'll be using the word processor I use in my laptop if given the chance. He would be writing more investing the same time, or writing the same in less time. Or maybe something in between. That way, he'll publish and preach more but also would get more rest and time for other endeavours like loving family, friends and neighbors.

Seeking to be more effective not for its own sake but for Christ's sake. That'd be a worthy goal for a lifetime.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-16)