How’s it Going?

Photo by Prateek Katyal on Pexels.com

Welcome to March! How are those New Year’s resolutions, intentions or goals coming along? For some of us, we start the year with new goals, intentions, and resolutions, ready to conquer the world, be better and do better. Sadly, we tend to lose steam, focus and commitment or perhaps a curve ball comes our way that knocks us off course.

The good news is…you have 305 days ahead of you! Take a breath, reset, and get back to working on those goals.

Start with self-reflection.

Is this something God wants for me?

As a person of faith, I believe this is the most important question you can ask. You may be embarking on a goal that is not part of God’s plan for your life. If that’s the case, you may need to do a little bit more searching to determine what it is you should be doing in this season.

Am I trying to do this on my own?

Are you relying on your willpower alone? Well, that’s not going to quite cut it. While hard work is important, you need accountability, support, and counsel to help you reach your goals.

Am I getting in my own way?

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. We allow fear, insecurity, rejection, and past failures to keep us from achieving our goals. Self-sabotage will surely keep you from the finish line.

Commit your plans to God.

Seek God in your goal planning. Trust Him to guide, provide and empower you.

Walk with God.

You may need other people to achieve your goals, but true, lasting success only comes from God. Stick with Him through the good and bad.

Stop dwelling on the past.

Don’t stay stuck on yesterday, the day before, last month or last year. Your work is in front of you.

Keep it moving.

Don’t let obstacles and setbacks keep you from moving ahead. There are lessons to be learned and a goal to reach. You may need a time out but don’t stay there.

Have faith in God….and you!

Trust God throughout the process. Put your faith in Him and yourself. You got this!

Don’t give up. It may be hard at times but there is something great on the other side.

You can do all things through Him who gives you strength.

Philippians 4:13

 

 

Here Re Go Again….

Here re go again (nope – that’s not a typo).

As we welcome another year, most of us have already started our list of re’s. Our list of resolutions that we’ve made with good intentions of keeping but often poor or very limited execution — only to repeat the cycle each year. While I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions (and obviously not committed to them), each year I resolve to lose weight, read more books, kick a bad habit, start a new project (while reflecting on the project from last year I never finished —- ooo maybe I’ll redo it this year), to not allow the same challenge(s) that I had the previous year trip me up in the new year. Each year I resolve to do a list of things while receiving the cliche promises of another year of revival, renewal, restoration and recalibration. Sadly I must admit, that at the end of the year I resolve that resolutions are pointless and days later come up with a few less than last year.

It dawned on me in the process of making my list of 2019 re’s, I seem to momentarily lose sight of the biggest re of all time…redemption. The redemptive work of the cross. The redeeming blood of Jesus Christ that washed me clean. The resurrection power of Jesus that enables me to do all things. His Spirit guiding me, revealing His plans for me and reminding me of His Word. Because of His redeeming love I don’t have to feel defeated at the end of another year because I failed to follow through on my list of resolutions.

As I refocus on Him…

As I renew my mind…

As I recall all that He has done for me and allowed me to do…

As I remember that He has a purpose and a plan for me…

As I reflect on His love for me – as I am…

As I renew my vows to Him (to love Him with all of my heart, to love others, to honor Him with my worship, to seek Him intentionally, to obey Him)…

My list and plans become obsolete. I know that He wants the best for me as He reveals those things in my heart that keep me from being more like Him. He refines me as He works on increasing my faith so that I know without a doubt all things are possible through Him. He helps me to release my grip on those things that I held on to way too long in preparation for what He has in store for me. He has reminded me that He is first. That He is God and wants to reign in my life it I would only let Him.

On this first day of this new year, I resolve to seek Him first – trusting that He will guide me in the plans that He has for me.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬