Where will you go from here?
Made your 2016 resolutions yet?
Question: If you had the power or influence, what resolutions would you make for:
- Your marriage?
- Family?
- Job?
- Church?
- Your community, city, state, and country? The world?
In a sense, as you zoom back in from that world view, it gets back down to… you!
What difference can you – or anyone – make in a world population of almost 7.4 Billion.
Well… what difference can a single cancer cell make in an otherwise healthy body?
Better, what positive difference can a healthy cytotoxic T cell or other specialized white blood cell, make by identifying and eliminating a cancer cell?
Think of great individuals who’ve made a difference. Folks like:
- Salk (polio vaccine)
- Edison (singly or jointly filed over 1,000 patents and changed the world)
- Ford (applied assembly line mass production to make an affordable automobile)
On the American scene, I’ve been quoting Founding Fathers like Washington, Adams, Franklin, and others in my daily Foundational Thoughts.
Biblically, we can look at Noah, the Patriarchs, David, the prophets and Apostles, Mary and Martha, and, of course, Mary and Joseph.
What does any of this have to do with “little old me?”
Funny how certain things stick with us. I remember a sermon from the ‘80s by Pastor Steve Scoggins: “Blessed are the Plodders.” Blessed are those who go about their lives, as mundane as they may seem, day after day, doing the best they can (of course, seeking God’s help and guidance).
I don’t remember any of his examples, so consider this one: Blessed was the 25th of 25 children, who bore 19 children herself. Nine died as infants. She and her husband faced many serious financial and other problems in addition to the loss of so many children.
With her husband often absent, she took over the education of her children, even teaching them Latin and Greek. And she taught – and lived – her Christian faith.
She “plodded along” in spite of everything.
Ever hear of Susanna Wesley? Or maybe two of her well-known sons: Charles and John?
Do you really think she had it in her mind that her steadfastness, her perseverance to selflessly “plod along” and pour her life into her children, would impact millions?
Foundational principle: You have absolutely no way to know how your life may ultimately influence and impact others!
“But I’m only…”
What? A parent? A school teacher? A medical professional? A defense contractor, civil servant, military, police, fireman, accountant, financial planner, attorney, Sunday school teacher (D.L Moody!), secretary? Some may cast longer shadows than others. But we all leave footprints. Choose your path carefully because you have no idea who or how many may be following.
“It’s too late; I’m too old (etc.)…”
I have a specific challenge to Christians reading this. When you get to the point in your life where you can’t do anything except pray… Your greatest ministry may have just begun!
So, where will you go from here?
For me, since December 1st, I’ve posting daily short-read “Foundational Thoughts” with a Scripture video, a quote from a great American of years past, and occasionally other worthwhile thoughts to ponder.
Once a week I go a little deeper with a post like this.
My goal and desire is to continue: “Building Strong Foundations in a Shifting World.”
So, what about 2016?
Here’s a specific “actionable” step you may want to take. Michael Hyatt, “Your Virtual Mentor,” was former President and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing. For decades he’s had a Blog and now has a weekly Podcast, Platform University, and much more.
You may be interested in his course, “Five Days to Your Best Year Ever” – Check it out!
Important: His deadline to subscribe for this year is January 7th!
NOTE: I am not in any “affiliate” relationship with Michael. His material has significantly helped me this year, and I’ll continue providing links to worthwhile material like this that you may find helpful.
And if/when I have any affiliate relationship with him or any other product, service or person, I’ll let you know in full disclosure! A key foundation: Integrity!
One last thought for this final Blog of 2015:
Just maybe, as we build – or rebuild – strong foundations in our own lives, we’ll one day zoom back out and see that we’ve had a positive influence/impact on our marriage, family, job, church, community, city, state, and country. Perhaps even the world.
Your thoughts? Any specific resolutions you’d like to share?