“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” – Sir Winston Churchill

This quote has been stuck in my head as I’ve reflected and revised my resolutions for the new year this week.  Since I would like to be a different (i.e. more God-fearing and giving) person in 2012, I am making my Number One goal to use my gifts to glorify God. 

I’m basing this decision on Matthew 22:37-39, “Jesus replied:  ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.   And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 

But what does loving God and others AND glorifying Him with my gifts really look like?  I’m combining these items because I believe that by loving God and loving others IS glorifying God.  Now, I’m just going to add my talents into the equation to bless others by sharing the gifts God has given me.

Uhh…this is a lot easier said than done…especially since I have my own list of house projects, workout goals, date nights, family time, travel, singing gigs, writing assignments and guitar practices I would like to see get done this year!  (My list could go on and on and on and on and on…you get the idea)

I need to remember that God doesn’t call me to busyness.  He calls me to love Him.  I have to control the urge to work 24/7 to accomplish all of the tasks I would like to achieve.  I need to be asking Him daily what He wants me to complete that day and ask for the required guidance, strength and courage to execute appropriately.

In addition, I need to make sure that I’m getting the rest required to achieve these goals.  Hey…God made the entire world and all that is in it in six days and rested on the seventh.  He has commanded us to do the same…that is to rest.  Not because He’s a big ole’ meany, but because He knows this is the best for us!  I surely can’t climb a mountain if I run out steam!!!!!

How do I make all of this happen?  Well, here are my top three activities that will organize my goals/resolutions and keep me on target for 2012:

1. Write all of my goals down on paper.  Organize the items into daily and monthly goals with steps to reach the goals under each one.  If I don’t write it down, it will be more likely to never happen.
2. Make a ‘vision board’ and put it in a place where I can view it daily.  (Thanks for reminding me of this, Christine!!) On this board should be pictures of my goals and dreams.  ALL of them!  Nothing is too gigantic or silly for God and He is interested in all my desires!
3. Share my goals with someone else.  We all need accountability.  I need to choose wisely.  This person should be an encourager and part of my support system.  If they make fun of me, I’m going to choose again.

I should be in good shape after I get the above items done!  However, I have decided that the word ‘goal’ should be a verb instead of a noun (the Webster Dictionary obviously didn’t ask me) because in my experience, if I don’t put action behind the goal I’ve made, then nothing ever gets accomplished.  But, if I create a plan of action for each goal I set, then I normally have something to show for my efforts.

So, in order to love God and glorify Him, I really have to put Him first.  Plus, wouldn’t we live in a different world if everyone concentrated on helping our neighbors instead of helping themselves?  More pointedly, wouldn’t I be a different person if I chose that path this year?

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 3:27 – Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.