Happy New Year

Yes, Happy New Year! With each new year comes new commitments, new plans, 'do-overs', anticipation, and expectations. Everyone of us have the mind set to get better results than the previous year. The strategy is wipe the slate clean and begin a fresh! But if you're like most people, three months into the year, all the diligence towards the goals has been tossed by the wayside. Why? Because, it was too regular: we generally dislike that which requires consistency, due to the fact it becomes mundane.

Since the year of 2000, the average attention span has become less than 9 seconds. That's why technology has broadened to include all types of media to reach the senses. It's become faster, louder, and brighter to captivate the audience. So if our 'little' goal isn't complete with instantaneous, thunderous, and dazzling means to delight us, we push it aside. People have come to expect everything in life to have to be thrilling. They are looking for the phenomenal and breathtaking! Yet I believe with each 'awe-inspiring' expectation, it'll just have to get grander - because the latter became the usual. When will enough be enough?

Consistency doesn't have to be boring. The key to good results is doing the right things over and over and over and over again. For example, teaching a child to understand the difference between his toys and your priceless vase. One must constantly watch and correct the child for each attempt towards your treasure, refocusing on his treasures. This doesn't stop until he comprehends. End result: child respects pretty things without touching and you get to keep pretty things!

Galatians 5:16 says, "I say then, Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." This word "walk" comes from two words, around and a path.  This is describing a person that walks a path so much they could do it blindfolded.  Paul is instructing us to have a lifestyle, consistently, regularly, behaving the way the Spirit of God does. This involves, loving family, friends, and the unlovely, a joyful attitude, a peaceful countenance, exercising patience, being kind to your spouse, children, co-workers, and the unkind,  being truthful, faithful, gentle, and exercising self control in our actions.  Conducting ourself in this manner will keep us from developing a life led by the flesh. Yes, that's daily. (Read Gal. 5)

Diligently striving to attain this way of life, will bring challenges that keep us inspired. We hope this has motivated you to remain steady in your walk in the Spirit, and have a Happy New Year.

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