Happy ReNEW Year!
Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us, "Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and the streams in the wasteland."
That's good stuff.
On January 15 of last year, I shared the following blog-votional with you about taking on challenges.
Why share it with you again? Because 2012 was a great year for me. Only, this morning, while reading the verse in Isaiah, I realized that NEW, for me, means I can not linger and lean on the accomplishments and successes of 2012, but rather, I must challenge myself NOT to rest on laurels. What seemingly unimaginable experiences God has in store for this year? I read "forget the former things" as a challenge for me to look ahead to what God would have in store for me THIS YEAR, rather than relying on what has already become.
And, once again, I will surround myself with accountability partners to do so. Advisers. Challengers. Encouragers.
What's on your plate for 2013? Are you trying to go it alone???? Or have you chosen wise men and women to walk with you on your journey?
Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Sunday, January 06, 2013
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Addicted to Challenge
It's true.
Something happened to me when I turned 40 a few years ago.
Suddenly, I was done playing games. No more wasting time. While I watched many bemoan 40, I had no intention of living my life as if I had entered some kind of second-stage that wouldn't offer me anything new, exciting, and, well, challenging.
I didn't just set goals and then chop away at them, however.
Here is where 40 brought much wisdom.
See, going at my goals, alone, was NOT an option.
I have surrounded myself with accountability. I have partners in weekly prayer, I purposely chose to do a devotional which I know other women in my life are reading, and while I may exercise alone - I am far from it and have built into my life a network of conquerors who expect to hear from me about my workout. Every day. I am even partnering with a friend in another state to get through a 31 day devotional to help us tackle keeping our houses clean and tidy.
I am convinced that the big challenges that come our way can not be met by ourselves.
Why are we so vain to think we don't need the help of other people? Even Moses needed Elders. During the manna crisis of some year long ago, God appointed elders to aid Moses to "bear the burden of the people . . . so that you may not bear it yourself alone." (Numbers 11:17)
So, make a list of those challenges. And find people in your life who will be an asset to you in completing those seemingly difficult tasks. No, no, don't make the mistake of going to those who will simply tell you what you want to hear. Choose wisely. Align yourself with those who are in the process of or have already attained what you would like to see in your own life.
Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
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