The year comes to a close. A new one begins and I find myself in a different mood this season. Usually I'm reflecting upon the last year, making goals for the next, but now I find myself wondering if it's necessary. You can't change the past. And the future . . . do I really have any say over that?
God's gonna do what God's gonna do, isn't He? Jesus said it plain and simple, "apart from Me you can do nothing."
So why we do we make lists of things to work on? Why do we resolve to do better? Why do we push ourselves and regiment our lives and batter our poor spirits when we don't accomplish what we think we should? Why do we live with the guilt of not being good enough and wallow in our weaknesses?
Has Satan tricked us into this mode of operation? Does he know we are easily distracted by our successes and failures? Does this roller coaster of self-improvement keep us focused on ourselves instead of an all powerful God?
Have I been spinning my wheels for years, thinking it's all on my shoulders? Have I accepted a burden He never meant for me to carry?
I've been working too hard, striving, and feeling the exhaustion that comes with it. Something's gotta change and it starts with my focus. GOD does the work. Not me. I don't accomplish anything. Apart from Him I can do nothing. Nothing! Any real and lasting change must come through Him. He makes me a new creature. He transforms. My responsibility is to seek Him in prayer and His Word, obey what He tells me, and set myself in His presence. He does the rest.Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
If my only resolution is to draw closer to God, will His Spirit bring about the change I desire?for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13
What is your opinion about goal setting?
Photo Credit: babasteve
2 comments:
This one gets me. Really. Because for me it's such a paradox. And I keep thinking to myself how I always set mountainous goals...I'm still chewing on these. I think you & I were running together on this one.
I have thought these same things and have been on a journey to learn to give myself grace. I still like to make resolutions, love the fresh start of the new year. I guess it just mirrors the fresh start we get in Christ every morning, so it's a poor substitute, but I still embrace it for the motivation it gives me. I can completely understand the frustration you feel. I pray that you can let go and open yourself to the Spirit's true changing power this year.
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