What are you going to do right now, today—just as soon as you finish reading this blog—that you will look back on and celebrate 365 days from now?
That, my friends, is what is known as the “moment of truth.”
I recently spoke at a church and mentioned the ineffectiveness of New Year’s resolutions for the average person. According to research cited by Michael Hyatt:
- About 150 million Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions and another 50 million sometimes make them
- 25 percent of people punt their resolutions after only one week
- 60 percent give up within 6 months
- The average person makes the same resolution 10 separate times without success
So, the conclusion is that, if you have had success with a New Year’s resolution, you are either: (a) part of a very small, but successful minority or (b) you’ve made easy and, probably, insignificant resolutions (like the guy who told me he succeeded in last year’s resolution to eat more chocolate).
Goal setting/life planning resources abound this time of year. I’ve recently begun one of those courses myself and am excited about what I’m going to learn. One thing occurs to me as I write this on January 3, 2016: Every day I delay in getting started toward where I want to be on January 3, 2017 means I will be at least one day short of where I could be.
I’m going to get serious about exercise and eating right tomorrow … for about the 3000th tomorrow in a row! That’s the problem. I’m missing moments, and I have the waistline to prove it. I can’t do anything about yesterday. It’s gone. I really can’t do anything about tomorrow. It is a dream at best. I can’t even do anything about what has already happened today (Mexican food).
This moment, the moment of truth, the moment of decision, the first step of the journey—this is what you and I have. Change begins in this moment.
This moment, the moment of truth, the moment of decision, the first step of the journey—this is what you and I have. Click To Tweet
So, what’s it going to be? If you are still reading, I consider that a good sign. Hopefully, you are feeling more motivated. Now you need a couple of things to go with your motivation: wisdom and support.
Wisdom means that you are making the right kinds of adjustments and taking steps in the right direction. It is not about doing more or working harder, but about working smarter. James 1:5 says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Your 2016 matters to Him and He wants to help you make wise steps.
Support means that you have the right companions on your journey. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For WE are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that WE would walk in them.” (emphasis mine) None of us have our moments in isolation. So I guess this is really OUR moment.
Let’s roll.
Question: In what area of your life do you need the most wisdom in beginning this new year?
Bonus question: How are you connecting with God’s people and sharing one another’s moments?
