Get Ready, to be Ready
We will be in Atlanta this week. Based on what we see the warm rain is better than the cold in Colorado. Today, we went to the local “YMCA” for some workout time. Later in the day we went to Mason’s basketball game. His team won and Mason played well.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…wise people think carefully about everything.” Proverbs 14:15 ERV
This is the time of the year that thoughts are turned to the end of one year and the beginning of another. The end of a calendar year can often be like the end of a week. That is if we apply the “Sabbath” concept of looking back in reflection and then preparing our lives for that which is ahead.
To “be” ready for anything, a trip, a business venture, a new discipline, a new year; it is important to “get” ready. The preparation aspect will of course vary depending on what you are preparing for. Since we are facing the turning of the page of the calendar to a New Year, let me suggest the following.
1- Think carefully. Proverbs 14:15 says a “wise” person thinks carefully about everything. Some people just “let life happen.” But those who make the most of life, take time to reflect, renew and recommit.
2 – Evaluate the past, don’t live in the past. Paul the Apostle’s commitment was, “…But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me.” (Phil. 4:13 ERV) For Paul, there were many things in his past that he could take pride in. There were also those actions against the Church before his conversion that allowed him to refer to himself as the “chiefest of sinners.” As we evaluate the past, the good and the bad only should serve the purpose of compelling our future plans and goals. We learn from the past, we don’t live in the past.
3 – Keep spiritual growth in the forefront. It is easy to plan and anticipate when it comes to business, personal finances, family and recreation and many other areas of life. Often we overlook spiritual goals for our life. We need to consider our commitment to God’s Word, prayer and service among other spiritual goals for our life.
4 – Remember change is inevitable, but growth if optional. Plans are what you hope takes place, reality is often far different from the goals and plans we make. Adjustments need to be made. Unexpected challenged will arise. I believe it was Pastor Rick Warren who said something like this: “growing things change, change creates challenges, challenges requires us to trust in God, trusting God results in growth….” The cycle then repeats itself at various times and for varying periods of our life. So we need to be prepared for those times, those “growth opportunities” when they arise.
The list is not exhaustive, but manageable. And that is often what is needed as we apply a strategy for the New Year to our life. What will you do to “get” ready to “be” ready for the New Year?