There are few things in our lives that are constants. With the turning of the season, a couple of people have asked me about my goals for the upcoming year. However, in order to know where I want to go I first need to know where I am.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
God is the same but we are constantly changing, re-inventing ourselves and learning new things about him and ourselves. I took some time to reflect on this past year, searched for patterns, themes in lessons learned or repeated, and experiences that have shaped me.
In my fitness I see that I am in a very different place then I was a year ago, I’m weaker, post an injury, and have to build up certain muscles anew. This means my fitness goals will look very different for the coming months than I would like them to be but I know that if I set unrealistic goals I will just feel frustrated and disappointed. I have to set goals based on where I am today, not where I wish I was or where I might have been in the past. This applies to all areas of my life: professional, spiritual and relational.
2Tim1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.
I need to be specific. Sometimes I’m scared to be specific because what’s unknown is always scary but God gives me a spirit of power. Fear and insecurity can trip me up. Replaying past experiences or over-thinking hypothetical future situations can hinder me from being the best me and doing my best in the present. When I’m specific I’ll have milestones to measure my progress. In all the areas of my life, I need to set short term goals-I can always adjust as I go. This year I want to pray specifically for God to show me what I need to know. This will help me to be in the present more and allow me to be more deliberate minimizing the potential to get tripped up by fear or insecurity.
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his glory and goodness.”
The upcoming year is uncertain in many ways. God is the only constant but his divine power has been given to us to give us courage and great hope. As I think of setting some fitness, professional, spiritual and relational goals, I’m excited to anticipate what the year holds. I’m excited to see what I will learn about myself, others and Him.
My wish for you is the same; take time to reflect on where you really are. Make your goals specific and realistic. Know that if they are to God’s glory and within His purpose, He will continue to blow your mind, because he thinks your amazing. Some goals will change. Unexpected things can happen but He will continue to lead us through it.
Psalm 37:3-6 3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.