“Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
I’ve decided I really like Thomas Jefferson for that suggestion alone. Sure he was also one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, and its third president. But his motivating statement, along with several similar ones in the Bible, is giving me a great boost for this New Year.
I’m re-reading Proverbs for the month of January, as a solid Biblical foundation for 2012. Conveniently, the Old Testament book has 31 chapters – one for every day! Here’s what I got out of today’s reading in chapter 1: a Christ-centred life is one of discipline; not just in spending time with God, but in all areas of life. For me that includes being disciplined in how we respond to what happens in our life (anger vs. self-control), how and what we eat, exercise, sleep, spending money, loving other people…it’s kind of an endless list. As Christ followers, we must be consistent in seeking God’s direction so we know how to live righteously.
The word righteously might bring to mind many spiritual ideas, or even those ‘holier than thou’ types. But I believe that God cares not just about the condition of our spirits, but also our mind and body (the concrete/physical aspects of us that exist on earth). So what are the things that I…you…we know we should be doing with our lives? What are those things that keep getting put off for tomorrow, or someday?
Someday I’ll …
…go to bed earlier.
…wake up earlier.
…start eating better.
…get into shape.
…go to church.
…pray.
…clean the house so neighbours can come over.
…learn to cook.
…be more loving to others.
…get over my fear of ____.
You get the idea. We are really good at talking up the things we want to do with our lives, but when it comes to the actual doing of these things we fall short. So the challenge for myself and for you is how do we want to start 2012? Do we choose to repeat the similar struggles and stumbles of the previous year? Do we begin the next year of our lives feeling like there’s no room for improvement? I suggest we wake up January 1 with a fresh and positive outlook for what’s to come. We can start the New Year with thoughts, words and actions that will kick-start 2012 on the right path for what both we and God want as good and righteous lives, not just for someday, but for today.
I’ve decided I really like Thomas Jefferson for that suggestion alone. Sure he was also one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, and its third president. But his motivating statement, along with several similar ones in the Bible, is giving me a great boost for this New Year.
I’m re-reading Proverbs for the month of January, as a solid Biblical foundation for 2012. Conveniently, the Old Testament book has 31 chapters – one for every day! Here’s what I got out of today’s reading in chapter 1: a Christ-centred life is one of discipline; not just in spending time with God, but in all areas of life. For me that includes being disciplined in how we respond to what happens in our life (anger vs. self-control), how and what we eat, exercise, sleep, spending money, loving other people…it’s kind of an endless list. As Christ followers, we must be consistent in seeking God’s direction so we know how to live righteously.
The word righteously might bring to mind many spiritual ideas, or even those ‘holier than thou’ types. But I believe that God cares not just about the condition of our spirits, but also our mind and body (the concrete/physical aspects of us that exist on earth). So what are the things that I…you…we know we should be doing with our lives? What are those things that keep getting put off for tomorrow, or someday?
Someday I’ll …
…go to bed earlier.
…wake up earlier.
…start eating better.
…get into shape.
…go to church.
…pray.
…clean the house so neighbours can come over.
…learn to cook.
…be more loving to others.
…get over my fear of ____.
You get the idea. We are really good at talking up the things we want to do with our lives, but when it comes to the actual doing of these things we fall short. So the challenge for myself and for you is how do we want to start 2012? Do we choose to repeat the similar struggles and stumbles of the previous year? Do we begin the next year of our lives feeling like there’s no room for improvement? I suggest we wake up January 1 with a fresh and positive outlook for what’s to come. We can start the New Year with thoughts, words and actions that will kick-start 2012 on the right path for what both we and God want as good and righteous lives, not just for someday, but for today.
****
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)
for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)
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