Tis the season for setting goals, resolutions and then, plunk! Nothing! It was a good college try but it will have to wait until the weather is warmer, or until I get over this cold, or maybe even when my schedule clears! Have you ever thought that way? “Tomorrow” is always the best day to start a new project but inevitably something else comes up that gets in the way or has greater importance on our priority scale!
Life zips by at seemingly lightning, break-neck speed. The book of James (4:15) describes it as a vapour that is here today and gone tomorrow. One philosophy of life that Paul the Apostle argued against states, “Let us eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die,” (1 Corinthians 15:32). The book of Ecclesiastes (2:24, 8:15; 11:9; also Isaiah 22:13) also talks about living life to the fullest because we are not sure about tomorrow. No doubt, it seems like yesterday when I was on the high school football team, and when I attended youth group! I’m glad this is not a photo blog!
Understanding the speed of life, I am more determined than ever to live to make every day count. There are times when I need to disconnect from the daily grind of life, but those are occasional times. Therefore in order to invest every day, there are certain things I must do to stay on track. When I do then I can be sure at the end of my life I have done those things that really count.
Yes, there are things that disrupt my schedule that I did not plan for, but those are the exceptions and not the rule. What I attempt to do is to not to live by the tyranny of the urgent. My goal is to establish routines and habits that will help me grow spiritually, stay healthy physically, stay tuned in with the relationships I have with family and friends, and grow mentally by reading and listening to podcasts and the like.
There is a certain amount of discipline that is required for us to achieve life goals (sorry, you can’t buy that on eBay!). That is where our “New Year’s Resolutions” lose steam. We really aren’t serious about reaching them because we are not really ready to pay the price to achieve them. The Apostle Paul looked at life as a race. He delineates all that he needs to do in order to win that race. Here is his conclusion:
26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
To be practical, if you want to read the Bible this year, what do you need to do to achieve that goal? 1. Time 2. Bible Reading Plan 3. Accountability Partner. This is a great goal to have, plan for it, discipline yourself to reach the goal. Have a friend ask you consistently how your reading plan is going. Keep a journal of lessons you are learning. Choose any goal you really want to accomplish and follow the same plan.
I think all of us wants to make changes in our lives or goals we want to accomplish this year. Some are desperately needed, others are things we would like to accomplish. Develop a plan, go for it, don’t wait for a “sunny day.” Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Go for it!
On a personal note, I am pleased to announce that I have accepted the role as Associate Pastor of Adult Ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Chatham, Ontario, Canada! Stay tuned for more information:
For His Glory,
Pastor Bill Finch
In Times Like These 