The Measuring Stick for 2008

Well, for me it’s really about February before I get around to looking at my goals for the upcoming year. I know that probably sounds lame, but it really does take me all of January to get my squirrelly kids back on their school schedule, get all the Christmas decorations jammed back into the basement and get life somewhat back to normal (whatever that is).

Really though, the beginning of the year is such a great time for evaluating and reevaluating progress. It’s the time for tying up loose ends, finishing projects, setting goals, revising business plans, and much more.

So this February as my brain at last switches into its contemplative mode, the biggest key for the coming year is: what standard of measure should I use?

There are so many methods of measuring our progress. Did I meet the goals I set last year at this time? Am I happier? Am I healthier? How’s my stress level? Has my financial statement improved? Have my relationships improved? Am I a better mother, wife, daughter, friend, teacher, colleague, speaker, writer, or businesswoman?

What about my values? Have I taken a stand, fought hard, won or lost? What about my work ethic? Did I do all I could whenever I could? Did I refuse to quit? Did I choose integrity over comfort?

Have I met others’ expectations of me? Have I met my own? Have I learned from my mistakes and failures? Have I been gracious in my successes?

There are just so many ways to measure progress. And I confess to asking myself all of the above questions—and more.

But for me, the biggest and most important measurement became clearer and clearer in 2007. For me, the most important questions for me to be asking are those that center on my faith. And in 2008, that’s the measuring stick that matters most to me.

For example:

Am I living in integrity with God’s Word? Am I being careful to give God thanks in all things? (Not for all things—thank heaven!) Am I letting God drive?

Am I sharing the miracles that are happening in my life with others? Am I giving God the glory for the successes that I have been blessed with? (He really does deserve it!)

Am I trusting God to pull me through difficult situations? Am I giving God my time, growing in my prayer-life? Am I reading the Bible everyday—and actually doing what it says?

Am I forgiving those who’ve hurt me? Am I letting go of bitterness and resentment that (by most standards) I should be entitled to retain? Am I wallowing in my failures or allowing God to work them together for good?

Am I being a decent ambassador for people who really haven’t had a chance to get to know God’s love, power, compassion, healing, mercy, grace and miracles? Am I praying for my community, our leaders, my church, and even those who’ve positioned themselves as enemies?

Of course, there’s much more. But the short of it is: I’ve come to believe that when I seek first these things that are not just important to the people (including myself) in this fast-paced, hustle and bustle world, but rather are important to God, then all the other things will fall into place—orchestrated by hands and power much bigger than my own.

I also believe that by allowing God to have His way, my life, my family, my gifts and talents, and my relationships can only get better and better. And I know that the evidence of God’s love, power, grace, favor, provision, and protection will be an awesome testimony in order for more people to know and experience Him.

I am expecting miracles this year! May God do a mighty work in healing our country this year and may He give you the desires of your heart as well. May you and your family be richly blessed in 2008.

Getting Real About Priorities

What is your biggest priority? Another way to ask this question is, “Who or what do you serve?” The answer to the question cuts right to the heart of each one of us.

Lots of times, we’ve got really good intentions about what we want our priorities to be. God, family, mastering a new skill, being a certain kind of person, reaching certain professional or financial goals. Only you know what you want your highest priority to be. It’s a very personal choice.

Where we seem to get into trouble is when our priorities differ in reality than they do in our desires.

Here’s a good way to tell if your priorities differ in reality than they do in your desires. Start paying attention to what you think about when your mind is at rest. When your mind drifts, where does it drift to? When you discover a theme, you’ve discovered your priorities, your “master”, who or what you serve.

If you’re constantly thinking about work, then work is your priority. (Read: work is your master). If you’re constantly thinking about what other people think of you, then your ego may be your priority (master). If you’re constantly thinking about trivia, that night’s television line up, or what movie to see this weekend, then escape may be your priority (master). If you’re constantly worried or afraid, then worry and fear may be your priorities (masters).

Please understand, I’m in no position to judge anyone’s priorities and do not mean to do so in any way. It’s just that if the desires (priorities) of our hearts are not our priorities in reality, we’ll never be really happy. And worse yet, we may be kidding ourselves and not even know it.

I believe the key to shifting our priorities is immersing ourselves in them. Train your brain (and heart) to focus on what matters to you. This doesn’t mean that you never have fun or that everything you do or think has to have some major heavy-duty intense purpose. It also may not mean that you change one minute of the way that your time is presently allotted. It’s a matter of focus.

If your children are truly your priority, spend more time with them if you can. Make the time that you do spend with them is high quality. Make sure they’re aware of how much they matter to you. Speak to them in a way that builds them up and lets them know how loved and valued they are.

If your faith is your priority, immerse yourself in the Bible. Listen to music and read books that strengthen and edify your faith. Attend the church of your choice. Find a mentor and get your questions answered. Take time to pray—God is interested in you, wants to hear from you and has much to share with you as well.

For anyone else who could use some work in this department, let’s make this the year that we get our actual priorities and our desired priorities on the same track. Imagine what added energy, passion and drive we’ll have. Imagine operating with that level of authenticity and congruence. Imagine the increased clarity and ease of decision-making. How would life change for you? Now that’s something worth thinking about.