I look at 2011 as an opportunity. An opportunity to do things better than I did in 2010. I love my family, my friends, my job. I love them enough to want to 'improve' in each area. To make the adjustments necessary to accomplish great things. I know that God has many things in store for all of us this year and I can't wait to see what they are. But how do I plan on doing this? On actually improving?
I can tell you what I'm not going to do...I'm not making any resolutions. Instead, I'm just making some thoughtful adjustments. What's the difference? Is there a difference?
Well maybe not to you. But hear me out. Resolutions seem to be knee-jerk reactions or changes. They are "I'm gonna quit..." or "I'm not going to..." or "Every day I will..." or something like that. They are huge, severe, often ridiculous. They haven't really been thought through and they've often been 'promised' before. And they are devised during a crazy time (Dec 25th-Jan 1st).
Permanent adjustments are changes one decides to make over time. You think. You pray. You analyze. You zoom out and look at the big picture. It's true that a new year is the perfect time to do it. But you wait until after Jan 1st. When we clear the holidays, come home from trips and get into a routine, there is a collective sigh throughout our towns. It is the moments that follow that contain tremendous information. It's not necessarily about clearing our mind. Instead, it's about removing the busyness of life and hearing the voice of God. What does He want you to change? Where does He want you to take a step forward? Who does He want you to love as you move through 2011? What does He have for you to do?
Those are the questions that are ringing through my head...last week, today and for the next couple weeks. Then I will set my sail for the rest of the year. It will bring me to some amazing places, because God is in control. It might not be easy, but I won't be down from breaking my resolutions. Instead, I'll be moving forward with great purpose and contentment. Not because of me. But because I stopped, thought, listened, and then moved on.
