"Woudlings"

In the season of the year when many New Year's Resolutions die a slow but predictable death, it's interesting to read about Jonathan Edwards' coinage, wouldlings. Certainly a new term to me, but not a new concept to any of us, I wouldn't think. Playing on the term, worldlings, wouldlings refers to those "weak inclinations" as Edwards calls them. It does raise for us the question of intention, motivation, fervency of desire. My experience has been that wouldlings may not be as bad as Edwards would have us imagine. In spiritual growth, I've found that repetition counts for more than strength. I may not have the strength to overcome my sinful inclinations immediately, but if I take the long view, if I focus on what Eugene Peterson (The Message) calls "a long obedience in the same direction," I have more success. Think marathon instead of 100 yd dash. If I want to hike the whole Appalachian Trail, if I want to get from Georgia all the way to Maine, running is not going to help me. I'm going to have pack light, prepare, focus, and get up every day, every day, ready to walk another 10 miles. Fall down, get up. Get tired, keep going. Get lost, go back. Miss the fork, turn around. Fervency is wonderful. But it's not all we need.