I had someone ask me yesterday if I make any New Year’s resolutions, and I said not normally. I have a long list of things I would like to accomplish in the coming weeks, months and year, but not any one thing I am focused on more than others. I’m fairly certain I will make progress on most of those things, accomplish many, and not even get started on some. If you ask most people if there are things they should be doing, but are not, I’m sure they will come up with at least a few things, whether related to diet, weight, starting some good habits and eliminating the bad ones. However, if we are not specific and purposeful in what we want to accomplish, it is unlikely we will ever meet what we set out to do. Has your life or motivation changed over the past week in any way?
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
It is good to have some goals in life, otherwise you may lose your purpose or meaning in why you get out of bed every morning. We may have some simple, short-term goals or even a list that helps us get through each day with some success. I often call these the tyranny of the urgent, of things that I have to get done sooner than later. For longer term goals, it is still good to have a timeline in mind, so that we can make progress toward what we want to accomplish. I’ve often heard the term SMART Goals, which refer to goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Are we that specific with what we want to accomplish with most things in life, or do we just have some generalized aspirations?
To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24
If we want to read through the bible in a year, do you just start reading from the beginning and hope you will finish by the end of December, or do you have a reading plan with a way to monitor your progress? If we want to grow in our ability to Pray, or minister, or know the Word, then we have to practice those things on a regular basis. It also helps that we have someone to hold us accountable to our goals as well. Whenever I set out goals, I usually try to keep it simple and limit it to 1-3 goals, as you are more likely to remember them. If you are not sure what you should do, ask your spouse or friend, or even be so bold as to ask God what He would have for you this year. Regardless of how you want to change, may you continue to grow in your faith and closer to God and others in the process.
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5
Yours in Christ,
Clark
