Are you avoiding something? That list of things you want to accomplish in the New Year (I hope you do them all), will not compensate for the thing you’ve been avoiding. What is that unfinished, or not-yet-begun thing - that abiding sense of angst? What do you procrastinate and rationalize with excuses that seem so legit?
It’s a persistent whisper, but there is always some loudness, some obstacle, some other business that distracts you. You may even volunteer for other urgent tasks that you imagine need your attention…just to avoid that more quiet thing. It’s so easy to let yourself off the hook by letting yourself believe the Holy Spirit has pushed pause. Your environment and your body ally with your willing self-deception, self-sabotage and delay, seeming to validate your excuses.
The best opportunities for change come with distressful barriers that must be overcome first. It will cost you something. Forget the cheapo hack, the knock-off imitation and half-off coupon. You need to be willing to pay full price. This is by divine design. It is to keep out those who don’t value it enough to alter old habits, endure the cost, hard work, pain and sacrifice. Cowards are not welcome. Weekend warrior…stay home. Ya gotta want it!
And before the ball drops on midnight, eighty-six the addiction to instant gratification. It’s a powerful drug that fritters away the days of your life for little nothings, spends frivolously, diluting your energies, dismissing your significance, robbing the rest of us of YOU - the best of the YOU that you were born to be. It’s a con, a train wreck, a hit man. Run! Pray! Keep running!
There are many voices telling you to believe in yourself. I think you should increase your imagination and believe in some things bigger than yourself - things you can’t see. You must believe in the unseen if you are going to do that thing we’re talking about. But Heaven will only do so much to get you moving, and then wait to see if you’ve got the guts. If you do…Heaven is pleased. When you go all in and fully commit, the Unseen partners with, opens doors and provides in ways you can’t predict.
Don’t be reckless. Exercise due diligence. Give it thought and get wise counsel, but don’t get stuck in introspection. It’s okay to be afraid, but when you know…go. You are not alone.
Happy New Year! And happy new you!