Statistics tell us 90% of Americans will make New Year's resolutions. Sadly, 50% of us will have abandoned our goals by the end of January. Of those still holding on to hope, only 50% will be realized. So, why do we continue this tortuous ritual? Perhaps it is the hope that this year we will make better choices. This year, we tell ourselves, will finally be the year we turn that corner, flip over the new leaf, and begin again.
Based upon the six-question process outlined in my book, Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life, here are six guideposts for making better choices in 2009.
1. Know Your Standard Bearer In ancient days the standard or flag was carried into battle by one sworn to uphold all the emblem signified, even to the point of wrapping his body in the banner before the fatal blow should the safety of the symbol no longer be secured. Christ was God's standard-bearer to the world. His standard is the measure by which we are called to live. Are the goals you've set for 2009 based upon His standard or someone else's? If you're not sure, you may need to spend some time getting to know your Standard-Bearer.
2. Don't Let a Detour Determine Your Direction Life is full of detours. One minute we are zooming down the highway and then right in the middle of the road is a detour sign sending us off in another direction, or so we think. Detours and dead-ends are not always a sign that we need to change course. Sometimes these little delays are a test of our perseverance, or our willingness to see things through regardless of the cost. When you hit a detour, ask God if he is trying to get your attention or if the road sign is not simply one left by the road crew the night before.
3. Success Occurs Outside the Comfort Zone Most of us like to operate within our own comfort zones where we know the landscape and can control the outcome. Yet, time after time we hear the tales of those who've traversed the sea of ordinary to become extraordinary. And in each story one thing stands true, each of these men and women had to reach beyond his or her own limitations, to stretch beyond their own comfort zones in order to fully embrace what God had for them. Don't be afraid to stretch outside your area of comfort, for it is out there that God makes Himself known.
4. Giant Strides Begin With a Single Step Most of us want to do something BIG for God. We want to leave our mark on this world. We dream of making it big and giving God all of the glory, and we like overnight successes. Little do we know that each overnight success was preceded by many nights of little successes-and failures-till one day the overnight success happened. Begin each day taking the next little step you know to take.
5. Choose the Road Less Traveled In stead of the road less traveled, most prefer the path of relative ease. Crowded and filled with familiarity, this road appears to go where we want to go, after-all "everyone" is on it. Songs are made to glorify this super-highway and books tempt us with stories of its fulfillment, but once lulled by its smooth surface we find little truth in its travel brochures. Be sure you are not fooled by the flashy advertisements. The road less traveled, the more difficult way, is the true path to fulfillment.
6. Your Goal May Not Be Your True Destination You've heard it said: Joy is found in the journey, not the destination. The goal is not to get you to the end as quickly as possible, although that might be yours and mine. God's goal is to redeem all of us, including those things we keep hidden from others and ourselves. Ultimately, He's preparing us for our future home. In the meantime, in His perfect time, He is making you fit to live in His presence for eternity. So relax. Enjoy the journey; the destination is already secured.
Cheri Cowell is a speaker and the author of Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life, which offers a biblically sound, non-nonsense approach to making God-centered life choices. - 16890
Based upon the six-question process outlined in my book, Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life, here are six guideposts for making better choices in 2009.
1. Know Your Standard Bearer In ancient days the standard or flag was carried into battle by one sworn to uphold all the emblem signified, even to the point of wrapping his body in the banner before the fatal blow should the safety of the symbol no longer be secured. Christ was God's standard-bearer to the world. His standard is the measure by which we are called to live. Are the goals you've set for 2009 based upon His standard or someone else's? If you're not sure, you may need to spend some time getting to know your Standard-Bearer.
2. Don't Let a Detour Determine Your Direction Life is full of detours. One minute we are zooming down the highway and then right in the middle of the road is a detour sign sending us off in another direction, or so we think. Detours and dead-ends are not always a sign that we need to change course. Sometimes these little delays are a test of our perseverance, or our willingness to see things through regardless of the cost. When you hit a detour, ask God if he is trying to get your attention or if the road sign is not simply one left by the road crew the night before.
3. Success Occurs Outside the Comfort Zone Most of us like to operate within our own comfort zones where we know the landscape and can control the outcome. Yet, time after time we hear the tales of those who've traversed the sea of ordinary to become extraordinary. And in each story one thing stands true, each of these men and women had to reach beyond his or her own limitations, to stretch beyond their own comfort zones in order to fully embrace what God had for them. Don't be afraid to stretch outside your area of comfort, for it is out there that God makes Himself known.
4. Giant Strides Begin With a Single Step Most of us want to do something BIG for God. We want to leave our mark on this world. We dream of making it big and giving God all of the glory, and we like overnight successes. Little do we know that each overnight success was preceded by many nights of little successes-and failures-till one day the overnight success happened. Begin each day taking the next little step you know to take.
5. Choose the Road Less Traveled In stead of the road less traveled, most prefer the path of relative ease. Crowded and filled with familiarity, this road appears to go where we want to go, after-all "everyone" is on it. Songs are made to glorify this super-highway and books tempt us with stories of its fulfillment, but once lulled by its smooth surface we find little truth in its travel brochures. Be sure you are not fooled by the flashy advertisements. The road less traveled, the more difficult way, is the true path to fulfillment.
6. Your Goal May Not Be Your True Destination You've heard it said: Joy is found in the journey, not the destination. The goal is not to get you to the end as quickly as possible, although that might be yours and mine. God's goal is to redeem all of us, including those things we keep hidden from others and ourselves. Ultimately, He's preparing us for our future home. In the meantime, in His perfect time, He is making you fit to live in His presence for eternity. So relax. Enjoy the journey; the destination is already secured.
Cheri Cowell is a speaker and the author of Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life, which offers a biblically sound, non-nonsense approach to making God-centered life choices. - 16890
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