I am a gardener, and something is exciting about holding a “life pocket,” a seed, in your hand. All the DNA for potential excellence is wrapped up in this tiny, dormant package. Just a few added ingredients of water, soil, and sunshine, and life sprouts begin to appear.
I am also a goal setter. I have learned to strive for higher achievements through dreaming with careful, practical planning. Sometimes we desire to change; other times, not, yet there is so much opportunity for positive upward growth with a bit of attention to detail. To reach a goal, I must regularly assess where I am and consider how to move forward. Each of us can get stuck in the obstacles or lose heart when we face challenges that prevent us from continuing. However, writing out solid plans can inspire us, especially with the input of an accountability partner who spurs us on to our end goal.
When faced with a daunting task, how do we grow on beyond the feelings of overwhelming odds and discouragement? I use a gardening technique and count backward. What do I want to achieve, and how long will it take to get there? There is an optimum window of time in which a plant can grow and thrive with vegetable gardening. This time frame is the growing season wedged between the last frost of spring and the first frost of fall. By evaluating what crops I want to harvest, I must learn when the best time is to begin.
If we desire change in our lives, we must begin with careful soul-searching. For me, I ask fundamental questions:
1) What habits and attitudes do I want to cultivate in my heart and mind (emotions and intellect)?
2) What practical steps must I take to arrive there?
3) How will I prayerfully enlist God’s direction and empowerment to make a long-lasting transformation which can be measured and enjoyed by God, myself, and others?
We can seek God’s help because He loves us, and He never changes. He is steadfastly faithful, dependable, and trustworthy. He desires the best for us!
On the other hand, I have the potential for much change, but I must have a focused view to achieving excellence in my life rather than drift in the current tide around me. I must choose to keep eternity as my target, which will envelop my every decision.
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ~ Ephesians 5:15-16
This life is so brief, so temporal, that we must not lose sight that heaven is our true home, and we are just preparing for that wondrous place by our day-by-day activity here. Transformation is an ongoing work between God and me. His desire to make me more like Him, more Christ-like, is progressive, yet I play a crucial part in co-labouring with God. As I learn more about God by reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on passages in the Bible, I cooperate with God and participate in His global purpose.
What is this global purpose? We image-bearers may know and enjoy God and make Him known to all people groups in the world. God came to bring lasting change, freedom from doubt, and fear. He sent His Son Jesus to move into the neighborhood and show us our Heavenly Father in such a way that we stand still in awe at God’s greatness and savour His everlasting love.
We face the prospect of change at any time, but perhaps our awareness is heightened as we begin a new year. Rather than dread change, we ought to welcome the unrealized opportunity before us and embrace the inherent change to reach higher. May God inspire you to strive to be your best.
If you’d like some more practical insights about goal setting, check out my article on Godly Goals. May it be the springboard for the seed of change for your own life.
Blessings to you!
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Gleanings From Heaven's Gate 