Be The Best You Can be

 

We are on the cusp of a new year. The past year has been another unusual and stressful time in the history of the United States and the world. It has challenged us in many ways. Now we look ahead to the new year. We cannot possibly know what awaits us. But we can establish standards, boundaries, goals and markers. Some people call these resolutions.

Goals are a good thing. Just the process alone can help us identify strengths and weaknesses. So, as you look at 2026, and as you assess your present situation, wherever you may be, what resolutions will you make?

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), the great Puritan preacher, once prepared a list of more than 70 resolutions. Here are a few of them: · Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, · Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live. · Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can. · Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, as if it were the last hour of my life. · Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge. · Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone. · Resolved, to let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. · Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking. · Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it. · Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance. · Resolved, to study the Scriptures, so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

[1 Timothy 4:12] “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Timothy in the Bible was a young man and a preacher. He had been a protégé of the great apostle Paul, and Paul had left him to minister in Ephesus. Paul knew the great potential within him, so when he wrote his first epistle to Timothy, He wanted to encourage the young man to be the best that he could be.

There’s a saying that has become popular of late that I really like. It is this: “Be the best version of yourself.” I like it because it does emphasize being yourself. It is important to be you, to be unique, and to be who God made you. Don’t change that. But it’s also important to be the best possible you. And what Paul is reminding Timothy of is that he needs to be the best possible version of himself. He was an exceptional young man, and he could do a lot of good if he reached his full potential. But to do that he needs to be to be the best possible version of himself in his words, actions, and even inside of his very being.

Someone once noted that “Most people are human ‘doings’ – we need to be human ‘beings’.” That’s true. Most people focus on what they do (i.e. merit through human effort). Let us focus more on what to “be.” “Being” means that it becomes an integral part of us. If we change the “being” aspect of our lives, then the proper “doings” will follow. Be a Christian. Be faithful. Be kind-hearted. Be loving. Be compassionate. Be concerned. Be forgiving. Be the best version of yourself – from the inside out. If you be the best version of yourself, would your family be happier or more miserable? If you be the best version of yourself, would your church family be friendlier or more unfriendly? If you be the best version of yourself, would the world be better or worse? The answers are obvious.  

“Be all God wants you to be.” “Be the best version of yourself.”

May the coming year hold many blessings and joys for you as you love God and serve him every day! Prayer: Grant, O God, the strength to do your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.