New Year: Intentionality & Consistency

With the start of a new year most people look at it as a clean slate, an opportunity to make a fresh start, to forget the flaws and failures and hardships and mishaps of the previous year and to set new goals and resolutions. It's an opportunity to dream of what you want to accomplish, of the type of life you want to live, of the skills you want to possess, of the kind of person that you want to be (in your family, with your friends, at your job, with God), of the health and fitness level you want to attain, etc… We start every new year excited and energized for what we think it's going to bring and who we think we are going to be when it comes to a close next December 31st.

However, for most people, most of these dreams and aspirations remain unrealized and resolutions are broken within weeks, if not days. There are many reasons for this, but what I want to think about is intentionality and consistency. Every new year we make these goals and then we just sort of expect them to happen with little to no input or effort on our part. We decide that we are going to lost weight and get in shape, but we don't change our diet or activity. We decide to improve our finances, but don't change our spending or job. We decide to heal our relationships, but don't spend any more time with people. We decide to get closer to God, but we don't carve out time for prayer or Bible Study. Then we are surprised when we don't reach out goals. 

Life happens and things occur, but if we aren't intentional about what we are doing, we are almost guaranteed that the changes that occur are not going to be what we desire.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul writes, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

Paul understood what we all need to understand.

1. We need to set goals. We need to have something that we are striving for and trying to obtain. If you don't have a destination you will wander in circles. “only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” Know what it is you are moving toward. Be specific. 
2. Be intentional in taking steps towards that goal. It's not just going to happen by chance or because you want it to. You need to set out specific steps to take every day to reach your goal and then you need to be intentional about taking those steps every day. “I discipline my body and keep it under control” Even when it's hard, even when you don't feel like it, you still are intentional about your actions. Don't just let life happen, but be intentional about things, about relationships, about God.
3. Be consistent. This is not a one time intentional act, but a daily commitment. Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” A relationship with God is a daily act, a decision that is made every morning to spend time with Him, to pray, to allow Him to change us. It requires endurance and consistency. 

This year, I challenge you to grow, to set goals, to be intentional and consistent as you make in your relationship with Christ and others. It's not easy, but it's will worth it.