I’ve never been big on New Year's resolutions. Sure, I’d like
to lose ten pounds, be more organized, plan better, and learn new skills
(quilting and a foreign language are always at the top of my list). I’ve just
never been one to follow through beyond January 31 or so.
I once tried to read through the Bible in a year. I think I
made it to March before life got busy and the daily list got lost. Although I
try to exercise and eat healthy fairly consistently, I’m not perfect and there
are days, ok, sometimes weeks, where I fail more than I succeed.
I’ve heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit, which may
be true, but I did quit P90X after 40 days, so I’m not sure that rule always
applies. In fact, my brother-in-law Tim attempted P90X and made it only 10
days, so we lovingly call the program by whatever day you quit on -- P10X for
him and P40X for me, respectively.
Sometimes it seems as though the failure list of my life is
much longer than the success list. Not that I haven’t accomplished anything. In
the past year I’ve helped plant a church, fostered children while raising three
of our own, went on a missions trip, wrote a book, and started a blog…among
other daily things like tackling the ever-increasing stack of dishes in the
sink or the endless loads of laundry every week.
But being the only one who knows all the little ways I don’t
measure up or how often my daily to-do list stays undone, I can focus too
easily on where I fall short, where I don’t measure up.
And when days get long, patience gets short, and discouragement
is all too near…I need to know I’m not alone. So I go to the place that has
become my refuge so often in life: My Bible.
I read how many people have failed God: Moses lashed out
in anger, the Israelites complained in the wilderness, Samson was a womanizer,
and Abraham failed to wait on God’s timing. All are stories of real people and
accounts of mistakes they’ve made. And yet, each of these people is listed in
Hebrews chapter 11 as being great examples of faith.
Why? Because the failures in their lives did not define
them. Their trust in God did.
Is it really that simple? I think. Is God so
unconcerned with the list of failures I tally for my life? Am I simply required
to just live a life of faith - trusting
God with each step, believing he will fill in where I fall short with my
family, my children, my marriage, my life?
“Therefore, since we are
surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip
off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us
up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,
the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within
you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ
Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6
I am so thankful for
these words. So thankful for such a gracious God who measures success far
different than me. Who loves me and will faithfully complete all that he has started in my life.
So, what’s my goal for this year?
Keeping my eyes focused on Jesus. Trusting him in all things. Being faithful to
obey when he asks. And being willing to return to him when I fail in these
things.
quote: "And when days get long, patience gets short, and discouragement is all too near…I need to know I’m not alone. So I go to the place that has become my refuge so often in life: My Bible."
ReplyDeleteunquote: Kendra, I say amen to that statement;really, to your entire blog! :) It was simply put and so true for most all of us.
Thank You
Karen Bakken