January 1, 2015

Change Require A Plan

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will. -- Romans 12:1-2

The new year has dawned sunny and cold, a beautiful respite from the rain that has been over us in recent days. It is a day to start fresh, to set goals, to walk a new path. Isn't that what New Year's Day is all about?

What have you resolved to do differently this year? Lose weight? Change jobs? Gather your family closer? Pursue God more fully? We've all got goals but it's not the goal that makes the change. It's the person implementing a plan. So what's your plan?

Yeah. That's what I thought. Most of us set lofty goals with no plan, no road map on how to get there. Then we beat ourselves up because we fail. Maybe next year, we tell ourselves. How about this year?

Let's break it down. How do you lose weight? One pound at a time. There's no quick fix. You eat less and exercise more. It sounds simple because it is. The next step is the one most folks don't ever take. What does eating less mean? Analyze your food choices. What are you eating that's bad for you? What about portion size? And what does exercise look like in your life? Walking in the park? Joining a gym and participating every other day? Make it specific and you're far more likely to achieve your goal.

One of my greatest frustrations is when people tell me they want to be closer to God, to know Him on a deeper level, but refuse to make time for Him and His Word. They're full of excuses. We all are. Family obligations, work obligations, church duties eat up our time. But what good is it all if we don't have our Creator to sustain us through it all?

Do you want to be closer to God? Then make that choice and devise a plan to make it happen. Choose an easy for you to read Bible and start with Genesis Chapter 1, verse 1. You don't need to follow a reading plan. (Though you can if you want to.) Just begin. I promise that God will meet you there. And I know that Satan will put obstacle after obstacle in your path. Do it anyone.

Set a time and make it happen. Sacrifice sleep if you need to. Turn off the television. Close the door. Make the commitment and see it through. You will never be closer to God if you aren't willing to spend time alone with Him. It's that simple.

Today begins a new year. If you want to make a change, develop a plan and see it through.