Going Through The Motions

Do you give your best in whatever you do? Or, do you just go through the motions? Life is about this one decision. Am I going to give my best or am I going to only do enough to get by?

Realistically a person cannot give 100% in everything they do but they can give their best in everything they do. For example, if a person only has 60 minutes to do a project that takes 90-120 minutes, then they will not be able to complete it 100% of the way. But they can give their best and dedicate the 60 minutes that they do have to finishing what they can in the time allowed without slacking. The issue comes into play when a person has 90-120 minutes when working on a 60 minute project and either do not complete it or the quality and standard is below par. Usually what happens is that a person will start bringing all the excuses out of the woodwork to explain why it wasn't finished or was of a poor quality.

What will usually happen in a person's mind that experiences the latter? A majority of the time that person will resolve to change that part of their life. They make plans to do it better the next time around when put in that situation. Some achieve the change but mostly people find themselves in the same old boat bringing them back into the cycle of wishing they had done better, to resolving to do better next time, to coming upon the fork in the road as to if they can make the change or not.

Resolving to Change

There are different reasons why a person would resolve to want to see a change in their life. But bottom line is they choose to form an opinion or intention about something in their life that they would like to see change. The normal course of action is to decide what to change, how to make the change, when to start making the change, and figure out what the desired outcome should look like once the change has been in place.

There are two primary moments in a person's life when they really spend time looking at this. The most common moment comes with making New Years resolutions. When considering starting a “new” year, many people tend to think back over the past year and think about what they wish would have been different and then they resolve to start that the first day of a new year. Or throughout the year, they had a desire to see a difference in their life (i.e. lose weight, stop drinking, start reading the Bible and having devotion time with God first thing in the morning, etc) and have decided that January 1st they are going to go for it.

The other is when a person starts to realize they are facing a crisis in their life. A crisis in its purest form is really based on an individual's perception of what they are facing. A crisis to one person may be a speed bump to another person. The person experiencing a crisis has some form of instability in their life that is causing a dramatic affect whether self-projected, circumstantial or driven by an outside source.

Whether it is that time of year to reflect on what changes to make or caused by a crisis, a person needs to resolve to make changes in their life if they want to see things differently than they are. Change will not happen on its own.

Accomplishing Change

The first thing needed to accomplish change is to know that all change is a process. It is not something that will be corrected or fixed the very first time even if it seems like it was. There is always the matter of fine-tuning the change that has taken place and if that is not necessary, then it takes repetition to see that the change has taken effect. Change requires time.

“Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” (Luke 6:21a)

The second thing needed to accomplish change is having a vision and a plan. Do you know what it takes to make the necessary changes you desire to make? Is the vision and plan realistic or is it beyond measure? Not only does it help to write out what that long-range vision is. It also helps to write out what the short-range plans are to reach that vision.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours will be the kingdom of God .” (Luke 6:20)

The third thing needed to accomplish change is the willingness to be persistent and push through any obstacles that may get in the way. It is almost a sure thing when making changes that there will be obstacles that come from all sorts of directions. It could be from the people in your life, the plan requires readjusting, unforeseen events have caused the need to readjust, and the list goes on. Are you the type that is ready to give up at a moment's notice with the first hiccup in the plan or when facing the first obstacle? Or are you the type who has the determination to keep moving forward no matter what it takes?

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” (Luke 6:21b)

The fourth thing needed to accomplish change is a godly friend who you can bounce ideas off of in order to make an informed decision with processing it through or even just as little as providing support. It is never easy going about things alone. Usually when things are handled alone without others knowing what their friend or family member is going through, there is little support or encouragement to keep moving forward when the going gets tough or obstacles are faced.

“Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you

and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. ” (Luke 6: 22)

The fifth thing needed to accomplish change seems contradictory but are you willing to accept when change is not possible? There are going to be times when change is desired but nothing can be done about it with the exception of accepting change may not be possible. A prime example is what to do now that a loved one has died. They can not be brought back to life no matter how much those remaining on this planet would love for them to be back in their life. This can also be the case when it comes to chronic diseases or injuries. The person may be able to adjust to the disability but they may not be able to have the disability be gone. So a person will still have to live with the pain or issues now present due to experiencing a change in their health.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy,

because great is your reward in heaven.” (Luke 6:23)

Final Thoughts

Change is a matter of breaking the cycle of how things have been done in the past. There is a point when the way we live our lives becomes a ritual. It is not easy to change rituals that have already been put in motion. But it is possible.

One other thing about change is that change is not only meant for the individual but it is also meant to be passed on to others by being willing to share one's testimony of how God allowed change to come into their life as well as encouraging others that change is possible.

What things have you resolved to have changed in your life in 2009? Are they things you believe are possible? Are you willing to do what it takes to accomplish those changes?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

If you are looking for answers to have hope in your life once again, feel free to send me your question and I will look at addressing that topic in future publications.

John_03_16_Bates@yahoo.com