I saw somewhere online that the head football coach of the LSU Tigers, Ed Orgeron, was asked if he made any resolutions for the New Year. With his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, he responded, “Probably try to eat less, and it won’t happen.”
Coach O’s answer summarizes how a lot of people feel about resolutions. We know that we need to change this or that about us, but truth be told—we don’t have enough desire/drive to do what it takes to make the change. Very simply, our heart is not in it.
That raises a question. What does it take to get one’s heart motivated for change? For starters, fear is a good motivator. How many of us don’t start exercising or eating better until we have a major medical issue? The fear of death or of a painfully reduced life motivates us to make changes, to live differently.
The same is often true with our spiritual disciplines and practices. I asked someone this week, “When did you become a consistent reader of the Scripture?” He answered, “In my mid-30’s I lost my job and almost lost my marriage in the same year. The pain and fear of that season sent me looking for answers in the Bible.” Interestingly, he’s been in the habit of reading through the Bible annually ever since.
Though fear and pain are motivators that often shape new directions and habits, there is a better way. Before you’re lying on a gurney or bankrupt or headed to divorce court, ask yourself this question, “What’s your vision for life?” I’m not asking you to craft a vision statement for your life, though that’s a good idea. I’m asking you to dream a bit about the future. Where would you like to be a year from now? Five or ten years from now? Begin to imagine how much better life would be if you reached certain goals or formed certain habits. How can the decisions you make today move you toward that end?
Now, before we go too far, let me ask you a game-changer question. What if the focus of the questions above wasn’t you? What if we asked the questions to God instead? How might He answer them. What’s God’s vision for life? Where would God like you to be a year from now? What decisions and habits would God want you to form this year? How can you grow toward the person God’s called you to be?
I’d like to suggest that these are the most important questions any of us can ask as we enter 2020. This year like every year is not about you but about God, which is why we’re opening the new year with a three-week sermon series designed to explore God’s call on our lives. Please join me in praying that over the next three weeks our hearts would be captured by God and His mission, and that all His perfect purposes would be fulfilled in and through us this year!
For Freedom Set Free
· January 5, “My Chains Fell Off: When the Truth Sets You Free” (John 8:31-36)
· January 12, “Slaves To God: When Obedience Is Your Happy Choice” (Romans 6:15-24)
· January 19, “Freely Bound: When Serving One Another Is Your Heart’s Desire” (Galatians 5:1, 13-14