When the new year is on the horizon, New Year's resolutions come to mind. Once you come up with your resolution, you'll need to develop a plan and strategy that will enable you keep it.
The solution to keeping your New Year's resolutions are to make ones that are attainable. Do not out-reach your goals; you will find yourself lost and confused because you skipped crucial steps in making the process a success. The best way to ensure a good New Year's resolution is to set a reasonable goal and to make an attainable list of how to accomplish that goal. The list should not include too many steps.
Including too many steps may make your goals unattainable because everyday life must continue as well. A good number is ten -- ten attainable steps that will help you reach your goal. Remember this resolution is not supposed to be attainable in one month; it's a goal you should be working toward throughout the year. The process takes time.
Recognizing the Need to Rest
As a Christian, I try to set goals that will draw me closer to Christ, yet at the same time change the world. Although this is a great resolution, as a Christian, I should already be striving to do this everyday. I decided to change the tone a bit and take up Christ's example on rest. Rest is something that should not be taken for granted. Service in the name of Christ is something that will never leave a Christian's heart or mind but how often does that service drain?
Sometimes rest can be seen as wasting time. There are so many things to get done that sitting and doing nothing at all seems not very purposeful. Many times I feel that the work and life I live through Christ should not be easy or smooth. This is not true. There are many times where we as Christian's will encounter trials and tribulations as Christ stated in (NIV) John 16:33 but resting before they come allows us to move through them a little more smoothly.
Setting Goals
Now I'm sure you are wondering how you can rest when your to-do list is a mile long. Well, for a Christian, the answer is following Christ's example of rest. There are several times in the Bible where Christ withdrew to solitary places to rest and to pray (NIV Mark 1:35; 6:46). There were times where Christ also commanded His disciples to do the same (NIV Mark 6:30-31).
Rest is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “freedom from activity or labor; peace of mind or spirit; free of anxieties.” The definition of rest is exactly what rest should look like. As Christians, we know that this type of rest can only exist through time spent with Christ. There are many who rest physically, but their minds are still captive to anxiety and frustration; they have no peace.
Putting the Goal into Action
Christ showed us the best example of rest. Take time to set time to get away and be alone with your Savior. That time for you may be taking a vacation with your family, use that vacation to put Christ first in every aspect. Rest for you may just be backing away from your busy social arena at least once a week. Whatever your rest may be, do not just imagine it but make it a reality.
Sometimes it may be difficult to see how rest can fit into your life. Whenever something that God has ordained seems difficult to attain, many Christians find it helpful to open up to Him and ask for help (NIV Mark 11:24). Ask Him to guide you in the direction of a rest that will draw you closer to Him. Ask Him to release you from the false pretenses that rest is only an excuse to put things off. Ask Him to open your eyes to see rest as an attainable goal in your life.
Sources
- Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Fully rev. ed. Kenneth L. Barker, gen. ed.
- Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002. Print
Crystal Kelly - I love what I do. I enjoy bringing my interpretation and knowledge to you to be explored and commented upon. Enjoy
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