We like the promise a new year brings. It screams that anything might be possible and that yesterday has lost its grip on our future. Yet, in our exuberance for the annual changing of the calendar, we often make undisciplined resolutions. I mean, they are well intentioned, for any step toward self-growth is a noble task. But as you and I both know, the odds of completing any “resolution” are slim. I believe this is because we think too big.
Wait, did I just chastise us for “reaching for the stars”, “grabbing for the brass ring”, “giving it our all”?
Let me explain.
Everyone wants to be in better shape, grow deeper in our faith, eat better, drink more water, drink less wine, work more efficiently, save more money, etc., but these tasks are too broad. These are BIG resolutions. Life typically does not work this way. Change, as you may know, is found in the small. It is in the tiny turns we take – the clicks on our life dial – that bring about HUGE change. The little is actually the big. When we are able to put small milestones in front of us, we make change winnable.
And by the way, I suck at this.
Luckily, I try to make resolutions weekly. Life is too important to wait 12 months to make a change. Recently I realized after a decade of trying to find Jesus, I hit an all too predictable slump. Sure I believed, but my life didn’t resemble the Truth I said I espoused. But like you, I don’t believe I have much life margin. Again, a fresh faith is a BIG task to tackle. I realized I had a ridiculous commute twice a day to work and home. Typically I would spend this coveted time on my guilty pleasure, NPR.
But what I tried to redeem this trapped time with a small tweak?
I can’t take credit for what I did next, but a friend inspired me to listen to Podcasts. In the morning I started to listen to a sermon, asking the Lord to guide me to His heart and what He wanted me to hear. On the way home, I would listen to something cultural that would show me more of the pulse of life. If creativity is a cup, mine was dry before this small click. One must constantly draw upon the life around him in order to create. Capturing time I seemed trapped in my Saturn gave me a renewed stream of creativity. It has also shown me a fresh take on Christ. Again though, it was a small act of redemption that led to a bigger change or resolution.
What is the smallest thing you can do?
How can you break the BIG into manageable goals?
Let’s make 2018 a year of incredible growth captured one small movement at a time.
Matt simon blog 