Musings on Spiritual Matters

Christians love the New Year because it represents something that is dear to the Christian faith—renewal.  The marking of the calendar connotes a fresh start.  New Year’s Day is a time of starting again, whether it is a fitness program, a diet, new resolutions, or a new resolve to attend church each week (I highly endorse this one).  The Holiday is a time of starting anew.  With this understanding in mind, here are some helpful hints in making the new plans a reality.

1. It’s easier to start, than to finish.  In Luke 9:62 Jesus says “Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Christ realized that in life there are plenty of starters, but few finishers.  There will be multitudes of people who make personal promises on January 1^st, but will not finish the task on December 31^st.  This year work to be a finisher.
2. Discover true motivation, not goals.  Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:12 “which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”  Paul realized there was a greater motive in his suffering.  Instead of just trying to make it through the pain, he attached his pain to a greater purpose.  In accomplishing goals, there has to be something bigger than the goal itself.  If you want to lose weight, it has to be bigger than just the pounds.  The secret is the weight loss has to be attached to a great goal of running a 5k or climbing a 14er.  What is the bigger goal which helps with motivation for the smaller goal?
3. Have more than a goal, have a plan.  Goals are easy to make, plans take time.  People will give a goal as a desired direction, but often a goal must be broke down into the various components.  Instead of giving a resolution, develop a plan of action.  If you want a new job, what are the key ingredients in securing a new job?  Is it extra training, is it networking, whatever it is that will bring the goal to fruition, identify it, and work the plan. 

There are going to be countless people who make new promises to themselves this season, but be the person that accomplishes the goals at the end of the season.              

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This entry was posted by Matthew on Friday, December 30th, 2011 at 12:19 pm and is filed under Church News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.