Happy 2013! Did you make any New Year's Resolutions?
If you did, how is it going so far? Did you make it through the first week? The first day? The first hour? Sometimes our lofty goals are short-lived, aren't they? We have the best of intentions. We tell ourselves we can do it. We're committed beforehand, but when the day of truth arrives, we fail miserably. Or maybe we make it for a few days, or weeks, but somewhere along the way we lose our momentum and before we know it, we've stopped our progress forward and have begun to fall back into our old habits and ways.
The problem with having goals and dreams is they require more than positive thought and good intentions. They require action. They require tough choices, perseverance, and faith. They don't come easily, but their results can be worth it. In the end our goals and dreams are often dependent on how much we want what we're hoping for.
In the Old Testament, God's people faced a time when they had a huge goal to accomplish. After being driven from their homeland because of their parents' and grandparents' disobedience to God, they were set free to return to Jerusalem and begin to rebuild the Temple of God that had been destroyed. They were committed and had the resources to accomplish the task. They got to work as soon as they were settled, and they successfully rebuilt the Altar and laid the Temple foundation just as they set out to do.
But they weren't finished, and at some point between completing the foundation and reaching their ultimate goal, two things happened to stop their progress: discouragement, and fear. Some of those who remembered what the old Temple had been like were disappointed it could never be as grand as it once was, so they either gave up trying or brought so much negativity to the project they caused others to lose heart. (Have you ever been around people like that?) Many also gave in to fear: Fear of their enemies who were threatening them and frustrating their plans, and fear for their own livelihood. They became concerned with meeting their own needs rather than trusting God and giving their resources for the restoration project.
No matter what our goals and dreams may be, we will face similar obstacles. Just to focus on one for now, I think discouragement is the biggest one I've faced when I've wanted something enough to put forth a serious effort. Discouragement can come from within, from my own heart and mind; and it can come from others. When the results aren't coming fast enough or aren't as grand as I hoped, it can be easy to give up and stop altogether. And when others don't understand or believe what I'm doing is important or possible, their words of negativity can derail me so quickly.
After progress on the Temple had stopped, God sent His messengers to speak to those who had laid the work aside. He rebuked them for their fear and lack of obedience, but He also encouraged them to keep going. He reminded them what they were doing was important and they weren't alone. He was with them and would help them. There was a lot to do, and it wasn't going to be easy, but they could do it. And it wasn't so much about accomplishing the goal as it was about believing in who they were and what they had been called to do.
"It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty." (Zech. 4:6 NLT)
I do not know what God has called you to do, and you may not yet either, but I know you are precious to Him. Start there with that belief and see where it takes you. Apply that truth to your day. How does it affect your mind and heart? Apply that truth to your goals and dreams. How does knowing God is with you and can help you change your strategy?
Trying to accomplish things in our own strength, wisdom, willpower, and resources rarely works. At some point we fall short and fall into discouragement and frustration. If that's where you are now, how can believing you are precious to God get you out of the dumps? Or, if you're well on your way toward accomplishing what you have set out to do, how can His love keep you going?
One thing I find helpful is to focus on the next step I need to take. Goals and dreams often take time to come together, and expecting everything to change overnight will lead to discouragement. But if I focus on what I can do today to get me one step closer, I will feel accomplished even if I still have a long way to go. If your goal is to get better grades, what homework needs to get done today? If your goal is to be a better friend, who can you encourage this week? If your goal is to read your Bible more, have you asked God for help to stick with it?
However God is leading you, what's the next step? Take heart and do it! That one small step may take you places you never dreamed.
"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin." (Zechariah 4:10 NLT)
If you did, how is it going so far? Did you make it through the first week? The first day? The first hour? Sometimes our lofty goals are short-lived, aren't they? We have the best of intentions. We tell ourselves we can do it. We're committed beforehand, but when the day of truth arrives, we fail miserably. Or maybe we make it for a few days, or weeks, but somewhere along the way we lose our momentum and before we know it, we've stopped our progress forward and have begun to fall back into our old habits and ways.
The problem with having goals and dreams is they require more than positive thought and good intentions. They require action. They require tough choices, perseverance, and faith. They don't come easily, but their results can be worth it. In the end our goals and dreams are often dependent on how much we want what we're hoping for.
In the Old Testament, God's people faced a time when they had a huge goal to accomplish. After being driven from their homeland because of their parents' and grandparents' disobedience to God, they were set free to return to Jerusalem and begin to rebuild the Temple of God that had been destroyed. They were committed and had the resources to accomplish the task. They got to work as soon as they were settled, and they successfully rebuilt the Altar and laid the Temple foundation just as they set out to do.
But they weren't finished, and at some point between completing the foundation and reaching their ultimate goal, two things happened to stop their progress: discouragement, and fear. Some of those who remembered what the old Temple had been like were disappointed it could never be as grand as it once was, so they either gave up trying or brought so much negativity to the project they caused others to lose heart. (Have you ever been around people like that?) Many also gave in to fear: Fear of their enemies who were threatening them and frustrating their plans, and fear for their own livelihood. They became concerned with meeting their own needs rather than trusting God and giving their resources for the restoration project.
No matter what our goals and dreams may be, we will face similar obstacles. Just to focus on one for now, I think discouragement is the biggest one I've faced when I've wanted something enough to put forth a serious effort. Discouragement can come from within, from my own heart and mind; and it can come from others. When the results aren't coming fast enough or aren't as grand as I hoped, it can be easy to give up and stop altogether. And when others don't understand or believe what I'm doing is important or possible, their words of negativity can derail me so quickly.
After progress on the Temple had stopped, God sent His messengers to speak to those who had laid the work aside. He rebuked them for their fear and lack of obedience, but He also encouraged them to keep going. He reminded them what they were doing was important and they weren't alone. He was with them and would help them. There was a lot to do, and it wasn't going to be easy, but they could do it. And it wasn't so much about accomplishing the goal as it was about believing in who they were and what they had been called to do.
"It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty." (Zech. 4:6 NLT)
I do not know what God has called you to do, and you may not yet either, but I know you are precious to Him. Start there with that belief and see where it takes you. Apply that truth to your day. How does it affect your mind and heart? Apply that truth to your goals and dreams. How does knowing God is with you and can help you change your strategy?
Trying to accomplish things in our own strength, wisdom, willpower, and resources rarely works. At some point we fall short and fall into discouragement and frustration. If that's where you are now, how can believing you are precious to God get you out of the dumps? Or, if you're well on your way toward accomplishing what you have set out to do, how can His love keep you going?
One thing I find helpful is to focus on the next step I need to take. Goals and dreams often take time to come together, and expecting everything to change overnight will lead to discouragement. But if I focus on what I can do today to get me one step closer, I will feel accomplished even if I still have a long way to go. If your goal is to get better grades, what homework needs to get done today? If your goal is to be a better friend, who can you encourage this week? If your goal is to read your Bible more, have you asked God for help to stick with it?
However God is leading you, what's the next step? Take heart and do it! That one small step may take you places you never dreamed.
"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin." (Zechariah 4:10 NLT)
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