Self-made resolutions or Christ-honoring, reachable goals?
The New Year is upon us and with it has come the usual onslaught of what has become the almost-obligatory resolutions. Everywhere I go, I'm hearing about someone who is going to lose weight, exercise more, be more kind, or something else. I have no problem with setting practical, reachable goals, but making a blanket resolve to "be more kind" probably isn't going to get you very far, especially in your own strength.
As Caleb said recently:
That said, I do think it is great to set goals - but only those which are Christ-honoring, practical, reachable, and something the Lord is calling you to. Having some sort of plan and direction keeps us from aimlessly wandering around accomplishing little with our life.
Jesse and I spent our driving time yesterday (I think we were in the car for around 5-6 hours total!) writing up a list of goals for this new year, something we have found to be very helpful in the past. We wrote personal goals for each other, for ourselves, for our family, and for the business.
As usual, we will save these lists and review them in a year. We probably won't have accomplished them all, but it is always encouraging to see headway being made. My mantra is to keep it simple and not bite off more than you can chew. Both Jesse and I tend to be over-achievers and we've learned through trial and error that elaborate plans only set ourselves up for failure. So we kept things really simple this year.
Some of my goals (with Jesse's input) for 2007:
-Read through the Bible (we are doing the Mc'Cheyne plan which I've done before and really like, speaking of which, if you are unfamiliar with Robert Murray Mc'Cheyne, I highly recommend you study and glean from the life of this great man of God!).
-Memorize the book of Colossians.
-Plant a garden (Notice I didn't put any parameters on this, in keeping with my mantra. Any type of garden will be an accomplishment. You gotta start somewhere!).
-Improve my knitting skills.
-Read to Kathrynne more each day, with a goal of one hour total of reading time.
-And, can you actually believe this is on here? Exercise five times a week (Daily walk with Kathrynne while pregnant.)
Having my husband give his input on goals not only gives me extra motivation, it also helps me know that investing time on these things is honoring him and therefore pleasing the Lord. It is not just something I want to accomplish, and that makes it much more worthwhile and fulfilling to me!
If you are going to make resolutions, here are some excellent New Year's Resolutions for Christian Young Women. Always remember, though, it is your heart that matters most. Looking good on the outside, or going through the motions is not enough. As someone commented earlier, God desires repentance, not resolutions. Resolutions are worthless if they don't start in the heart.
As Caleb said recently:
Anyone else have "resolutions?" What do you think of them? Too often, don't they just seem like a vain attempt to make oneself feel good going into the new year, but are rarely fulfilled consistently?My thoughts exactly. Has anyone actually kept a resolution to "be more kind this year" I have to wonder? Maybe for a few days, but without drawing closer to the Lord and seeking to know Him more, we can't truly love others.
That said, I do think it is great to set goals - but only those which are Christ-honoring, practical, reachable, and something the Lord is calling you to. Having some sort of plan and direction keeps us from aimlessly wandering around accomplishing little with our life.
Jesse and I spent our driving time yesterday (I think we were in the car for around 5-6 hours total!) writing up a list of goals for this new year, something we have found to be very helpful in the past. We wrote personal goals for each other, for ourselves, for our family, and for the business.
As usual, we will save these lists and review them in a year. We probably won't have accomplished them all, but it is always encouraging to see headway being made. My mantra is to keep it simple and not bite off more than you can chew. Both Jesse and I tend to be over-achievers and we've learned through trial and error that elaborate plans only set ourselves up for failure. So we kept things really simple this year.
Some of my goals (with Jesse's input) for 2007:
-Read through the Bible (we are doing the Mc'Cheyne plan which I've done before and really like, speaking of which, if you are unfamiliar with Robert Murray Mc'Cheyne, I highly recommend you study and glean from the life of this great man of God!).
-Memorize the book of Colossians.
-Plant a garden (Notice I didn't put any parameters on this, in keeping with my mantra. Any type of garden will be an accomplishment. You gotta start somewhere!).
-Improve my knitting skills.
-Read to Kathrynne more each day, with a goal of one hour total of reading time.
-And, can you actually believe this is on here? Exercise five times a week (Daily walk with Kathrynne while pregnant.)
Having my husband give his input on goals not only gives me extra motivation, it also helps me know that investing time on these things is honoring him and therefore pleasing the Lord. It is not just something I want to accomplish, and that makes it much more worthwhile and fulfilling to me!
If you are going to make resolutions, here are some excellent New Year's Resolutions for Christian Young Women. Always remember, though, it is your heart that matters most. Looking good on the outside, or going through the motions is not enough. As someone commented earlier, God desires repentance, not resolutions. Resolutions are worthless if they don't start in the heart.
posted by Crystal Paine at 7:39 AM
6 Comments:
Excellent point!
I was thinking last week, "What has the Lord been leading me toward this year? What little naggings lay on my heart? What, in my conscience, needs to be reviewed in light of the Holy Spirit?"
I think these are things that should become our resolutions for the new year.
I have a "plant a garden" resolution, too! It's something I've been wanting to do so I could get the kids involved, etc. Recently a friend let me borrow a organic gardening book. I'm excited but a little daunted. I'm afraid I might be the kiss of death for my plants!!! Good luck and do post pics of your progress! :)
Great resolutions!
While I read the Bible through in 2006 I wasn't planning on doing it again this year. However, I am going to check out the plan you linked to because I will probably use it in the future.
Memorizing whole books has been somewhat daunting to me. This year though, I've made a goal to memorize at least 52 verses. Gotta start somewhere!
I'm going to check out the link for the "excellent New Year's Resolutions for Christian Young Women".
I didn't really make any specific resolutions just listed a few things I would like to do and some goals or things to accomplish. My main goal is to keep my focus on
the Lord this year!
My goals for this year are heavily based on my church service (our youth ministry) and starting my own home-based business (making steady progress so far on business plan & goals, getting organised etc).
Although I am very competent at my job and the people are lovely I know now (after alot of prayer!) that it is not where I need to be in another year's time. This business and involvement in our youth ministry will be a steady path forwards for me on my spiritual path.
I also have set some prayer goals too!
Great post Crystal.
Diana (in Australia)
I decided to try something new this year. I don't know if it will work, but I am committed to try my best to complete it.
I want to take 3 goals every month and work on those. So, for January my goals for the month are: potty train my son, daily bible study and pray continually, and exercise 3x weekly.
I can do three, but get overwhelmed with all that was on my yearly list. I need to go ahead and get a basic plan for the year and then adjust as I go, keeping it to 3 goals each month.
I want every month be a time to refocus and get back on track.
In there own way, these are all ways to make my life more Christ-honoring. And that is my main goal!
Those are wonderful goals! It was my goal to memorize the book of James in 2006. I am so glad I did! It seemed like an overwhelming task at first, but when situations would come up and the perfect "James Verse" would pop into my head, it motivated me to keep going. I plan to memorize another book this year, but I'm not sure which one...
I think my goal list was that long when I was about your age (And pregnant with my second, too, come to think of it!), but now I just have four. One won't even *begin* until April or May.
And this is the first time I haven't felt the least bit overwhelmed looking at my list.
I am attempting to finish a read-through the bible for the first time, and I want to keep it up.
I'll be working with my oldest to learn to read, and
I'll be establishing a workable routine for maintaining my home (now that my youngest seems at a place to allow such frivolity ;-))
The forth is to adopt, train and begin a running program with a dog (for my birthday). That last one is all for me!
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