I was recently given the task of substituting In my Sunday School Class. I did not want to disrupt the flow that our regular teacher had going in her study. Did I want to teach what kept going through my head?
It is the last Sunday of the year, and Tomorrow is New Year’s. I did not want to teach about setting Resolutions. I am bad at it and always break them very quickly. But that was what kept going through my head. I was thinking of helping others pick a path to follow to help them feel better and grow.
Set Goals
I recently read and Reviewed a book called One Word to BeeBetter by Peter Bradford and Lynette Sharp. It caused me to reflect on ways to Set Goals that I wished to develop in my own journey. I was also recently able to listen to a broadcast by a lady I consider a Mentor of mine, Tanya Ricord. Tanya spoke about Setting Goals for today, tomorrow, next year, and the future. That is what I needed to hear: Set Goals, Not Resolutions. I now had a direction and knew I wanted it tied to my moral and religious beliefs.
Categorize Your Goals
I read, researched, prayed, sought out some help, and came up with eight categories of concern that met many of the goals I had discovered in my research. It does not matter of what faith you are called to but I feel these are goals for all mankind.
Cultivate Wisdom and Understanding
Proverbs 4:7 – “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all you’re getting, get understanding.”
No matter how old or young, take the chance to learn more. Work toward continually looking for knowledge and understanding in all parts of your life. Work toward making informed and thoughtful decisions. This is a great part of why I continue to work with RRR247. I am excited about reading and learning about so many different topics. I feel I am growing in the areas of technology and how it is used.
Practice Love and Compassion
1 Corinthians 16:14 – “Let all that you do be done in love.”
Show love and compassion when interacting with others. Look at the differences in others and promote empathy and understanding. Accept people for the way they were born. Look beyond their appearance, abilities, or disabilities or where they were born but how they live their lives. I want us to show it in our everyday lives.
I am thinking as a mother right now. After many years I have had to really work on the Practice of Tough Love. Tough Love and Compassion help us help our children become loving, independent adults. I realize I have allowed myself to be leaned on much more than I should. This has hurt in both directions. I am working on promoting independence. I am working on taking care of my needs to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible. Self-care and love are as important as caring for others.
Pursue Justice and Righteousness:
Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Having Justice and Righteousness is something many worldwide and in this country do not expect in their everyday lives. Many, even in their own families, experience untold abuse. Bullies are not only in school but in our everyday environment. Demeaning or putting someone down and standing back and witnessing it without standing up is an injustice. It does not have to be in a confrontational way.
Be a duck and save the fight for a last choice. By being a duck, it is often best to let it roll off your back and remain calm until You have to flap your wings and squawk. As a teacher, I was often able to make my point by questioning the individual calmly and letting them think you do not understand their reasoning. Keep asking the why of their statement or action. You can then work on the positive that you see in the person they were being mean to. I tried to help them see a different idea without being confrontational. But if a confrontation is needed and an Authority figure or agency needs to be informed, squawk, do so quickly, and stand your ground.
Develop Gratitude and Contentment:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
This, to me, maybe one of the hardest. I am going to have to work hard on it. I think I understand, and I do feel gratitude for what others want to share from the heart with no strings. It may be why I prefer it to be paired with “contentment”. If both parties are fully content, I can see it as a gift. If it is found that those who wish to be in an enriched situation think so because they now deserve the elevated status it gives them, then I have concerns. Am I now not grateful for needs being met? I am thankful for the gift that is given without someone being an insincere giver. If something is expecting repayment in any form, is it a gift? If those who give expect to be in an enriched situation, is it a gift? I will have to pray and think about this.
Build Strong Relationships:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Yes, a life partner, friend, or family group is better when they stand together. I have been honored to have a loving marriage and supportive friends who held me up when Richard passed. The family that has been there for me my whole life. The support of my parents, siblings, grandparents, and cousins, who have stepped forward and had my back during several crises in my life. I know I do not stand alone. I know who is there to stand beside me. Strong Relationships make all situations better. Be there for your people and listen. You may not always see it the same, but listen and lean on those who are there for you. You know that these are the ones you will be present for when they need you.
Strive for Personal Integrity:
Proverbs 10:9 – “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
To walk with integrity, honesty, and truthfulness, and strong ethical and moral principles. Those with integrity are uncompromising and incorruptible in their moral and ethical values. This does not mean you do not continually question and pray on many issues that are arising in the world. Integrity is to live in line with the truth. We must ask the truth and know it is true.
Promote Humility and Servanthood:
Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Do you do things for the Glory of God or for your own Glory? Many people widely known by the Public promote their own goodness and Servanthood. I think of those who like to toot their own horn and offer to collect for those less fortunate. Set Goals so that the need is the main focus, not the personality promoting it. Continue to be a worker for humanity.
Foster Faith and Trust in God:
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
My word to this is Amen. It says it all. Amen.
Set Goals
Prayer, meditation, and trust even in those things you do not understand. If you work toward all the goals we have brought forth here, your walk will be vital. Set Goals for all things you wish to strive for and continue to work toward them. Set Goals for today, tomorrow, next year, and the future.
