Sticky Growth Decisions Continue

Last week I was thinking about the New Year – I still am.  I'm thinking about what God is calling me to.  I'm thinking about what's going to be different.  I'm thinking about how I am growing in my walk with God.  Problem: sometimes I make decisions that don't stick.  Sometimes important steps aren't continued. 

 

Last week was the first three points on making a resolve that sticks.

1.  Remember the spiritual part of my life includes all of my life.  I need to quit dividing the secular and the spiritual.

2.  I need to start seeking God for what He is calling me to for the next year. Listen – then do. (listendo pronounced lis–ten'-doh)

3.  I need to take steps of growth in faith, but I need to be realistic.  Too many growth steps are never taken because stepping across the Grand Canyon in one step is not a good idea.

 

This week's call to sticky decisions.

 

4. Take someone with you on the journey.  Share your growth steps with someone and let them help you take the step.  We've gone too far down the road of "it's personal" and "it's just between me and God."  Having help in growing is part of giving a decision glue.

 

5. Don't forget about God's grace!  I think sometimes we give up on growth because we sell God's grace short.  "I've messed up already, so never mind."  Grace isn't just about forgiveness, it's also about advancing.  He won't give you one shot and then you're done.  Include a coat of God's "grace glue" to your decision and stick it to your soul. 

 

6. I may need to pick up a decision that I dropped yesterday.  There are times to forget it and move on, and there are times to finish what was left undone.  Sometimes God can't give me victory for today until He and I have conquered yesterday's gremlins.  Get God's guidance, pick it up and grow to the next level.  That's one of the glue recipes.

 

7. The vague and undefined growth steps make it impossible to leave a real mark.  God will lead me to specific and measurable steps. "I'm going to be a better person" is not a very sticky step.  "I'm going to forgive ________ for _________" - that's sticky!  I'm going to study __________" - sticky!  "In 2010 I am going to schedule weekly dates with God" - sticky!

 

Seven points for all of us to dwell on as we all start a new year.  God is leading us to take steps of growth in our walk with him.  May our decisions stick and His will be more important than ours.

 

Planning on Sticky Growth,

 

Pastor Dave