Dear JWC family and friends,
Happy New Year! As we start this new year, I can’t help but think of the idea of New Year resolutions. Whether or not you personally make resolutions at the beginning of the year, you really can’t deny that there is a certain organic connection between resolutions and a new year. The change in calendar offers a point of new beginnings. And if we must begin anew, of course we will hope to do better with the new beginning than the old years. We resolve to do better. It is natural, and it sounds good. But the sad reality is that most New Year resolutions are not kept. Statistically, 80% or more of those who make a resolution have failed or given up on the resolution by February (depending on which source you trust). It is easy to have the idea of resolution. It is much more difficult to press forward with resolve once any initial enthusiasm erodes.
It is no mistake that the Scripture urges for endurance and long-suffering repeatedly. It is the nature of humankind to grow weary, to get distracted, frustrated, or complacent. Once we consider this reality, it makes God’s encouraging call all the more important. The Lord knows our weaknesses, but also supplies strength to those who will harken to His Work. And it is with this consideration that we begin the new semester here at John Witherspoon College. We resolve to trust in His strength and supply in order to continue on with the vital work set before us. Our society has been distracted and complacent, and desperately needs Christ-centered leaders if we are to continue.
The Spring Semester is now underway, and I’m already blessed to see the enthusiasm and thoughtfulness of our students – our future Christ-centered leaders. Seeing their potential and diligence in pursuing that potential makes it easy to hold my resolve. But in addition to resolve, a college must have resources. It is with this in mind that I would ask all of you to remember your own resolve to see a society transformed by and blessed by Christ-centered leaders who live and learn the Truth of God’s Word.
JWC’s faculty and staff are resolved to do all we can to participate in the growth of the next generation’s leaders. JWC’s students are resolved to learn and grow in their knowledge. We have a resolution. We hope you will resolve to walk with us. It is a new year, a new beginning. Let us be about the ongoing task.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the Everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted. But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV)