Hmmmm....
Wishing you MUCH motivation as you think through your New Year's Resolutions :P
May you experience success this year by accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.
Sometimes when we are setting goals for ourselves we have really high expectations, or maybe we have failed at keeping our resolutions for so many years...it has become a joke to us. Maybe, if we are Christians, we rely on the theology, "Ask, and God will give it to you." While it is true that we should take our needs, requests, burdens to God, it normally doesn't happen as simply as that for us to experience success. Remember, God is also the one who instituted work and most of the time the way of faithfulness to GOD is through hard work....right actions over long periods of time. Results occur when we diligently and thoughtfully use our talents for His glory.
Oswald Chambers believed worship occurs when we are giving our best to God. I read this definition in a devotional....The measurement of success is simply the ratio of talents used to talents received....How are we spending our time?....How are we sharing our talents?....and, are we exalting Christ through it all and becoming mature in our faith?
The devotional shared four ways to set yourself or others up for success...these are not "prosperity principles" as much as they are ways of thinking, attitude....or behaviors that foster success and fulfillment.
1. Verbalize it. For some reason, it is so much easier for people to talk negatively about goals and plans....to find the flaws in them. Choose to be a person who sees potentials. In your dealings with others regarding their dreams, remain truthful, but choose to be an encouragement and support to them. Choose to speak words of affirmation.
2. Reinforce it constantly. Tell stories of successes...find stories of hard work and fulfillment that can inspire you or those you love and want to support. I loved what the writer of this devotional used as an illustration to this point. He said to consider Paul. Paul said, "There's a crown waiting for me," and in another place, "Only the winner gets the crown." Paul is saying, "I plan to succeed! I am a winner!" It really is an attitude of victory which helps us run this race successfully. You may have to search a little to find this....seek God for it....ask Him to give you something special that truly motivates you.....a burden on your heart for something specific....something you can give your efforts for in His name.....something you can be passionate about. When you learn of goals for others don't take that lightly.....it is a privilege for someone to share something of any depth with another person. The vulnerability is loving and so should the response be....follow-up with them to see how they are doing, send them something tangible to let them know you are thinking of them in this matter, pray for them.
3. Implement it. Pursue the opportunities God gives you and use your time wisely. Give others invitations to join in.
4. (I am altering this one a little) While you are experiencing success...actively inspire others. Make sure others know first that they have permission to be successful. I have found this to be true when I sing at church. A lot of people like to say encouraging things to me about my singing and that gives me an open door to thank them for a compliment (more on this below), but also ask them what they enjoy doing....what talents or hobbies do they enjoy? A lot of people have never felt like their talents or abilities are even worthy of sharing with others, let alone useful for God. It is important that they understand God has given them something wonderful for them to use....and they can totally delight in it as they use it. That is a pretty awesome thing for people to discover, but it could take some time and it could take your assistance as they step out of their comfort zone into a place where they feel vulnerable. If I learn that people like to sing, sometimes offering to sing a duet with them is just what they need to break through their fears and start using that gift. Within that development and understanding that we all have talents and abilities that we can use for God should come the teaching that it is not only fun to discover what this is, but it is also our responsibility to use it to glorify our Lord.
....On accepting praise....I have never been good at accepting a compliment. For some reason, I have always felt as though I was not being humble if I received praise, so it has always made me feel a little uncomfortable. The author of this devotional offered a new perspective which I definitely appreciated. You don't have to resist a compliment or deny you have a gift in order to glorify God with it....you should confirm it by accepting the compliment at the same time you are praising God for being the source of all gifts.
I hope you enjoy this New Year's Eve and take some time to intentionally inquire of the Lord where you can use your talents in the year ahead. I pray that your faithfulness will be met by much fulfillment.
...Let us run with endurance the race God has set out before us...
~ Hebrews 12:1~
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