It is January and I am pulling into the YMCA parking lot and much to my dismay there isn’t a single spot in the entire lot! Then it hits me, New Year’s resolution time. If you are like me you see little value in New Year’s resolutions simply because often in our lives resolutions come and go with very little long term results. Yet, we all long for changes in those areas of our lives where improvement is necessary. Examples are: taking our health and fitness more seriously, finding a job that is more in line with our talents and worth, being a better spouse or parent and the list goes on. |
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So I got to thinking and the question came to mind, why are our resolutions so faulty? The idea struck me that even minor changes require a couple of small but significant efforts; the first being to have a plan and the second committing to working that plan. We tend to fail in one or both of these steps thus the workout system we purchased from that late night infomercial collects dust or we find another year going by with no change in our career or becoming the parent we want to be.
What if we make this year different? Why not recognize that we do have the ability to change if we bring some organization and commitment to the process. If you agree that there is potential, the question becomes how do I get started? Well the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program has a great tool to help. I recently came across the document on goal setting. It provides detailed guidance on how to set and achieve goals; click here to see what I mean. You won’t find this to be the typical New Year’s resolution approach but a methodical approach to making some necessary changes.
Often times we pray, God change this about me or help me to gain control in this area. Well maybe this is that answer to prayer. As we commit to a program of change and ask for God’s help in the process we will see God’s practical working. Proverbs 23:7 in the Bible states, Where [there is] no vision, the people perish. Vision in a sense is a goal. God created us for positive change and renewal. The more we set goals and pray for the ability to accomplish them the more our lives improve and the more readily we see God at work. Why not challenge yourself to start with a moment of prayer and ask God for one area in which He wants to produce change. Then go to the link above and begin to follow the process of change. As you find accomplishment in this area it produces faith and anticipation of what can happen in another area and the process continues. Do something different and begin the intentional process of change today.
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