Okay Ladies...You all know that we (Laura & I) don't exactly know what God will develop this UShineOn! Study into.
All we know is that it's becoming clear that we'd benefit from a UShineOn! Blog so that the ladies in our group could stay focussed, connected & intentional in the New Year. So as an intro to our blog, I am going to recap what we discussed in our last gathering at Andrea's house in November.
The subject we will be addressing in the New Year is Godly Goal Setting. Your goals will be specific to you!
For the month of December, purpose to talk to God about what He would have you focus on in the New Year. Start journalling those thoughts and, over the course of the month, be intentional about writing them down with corresponding scripture verses that support them. You may find that He is giving you just ONE MAIN GOAL for the entire year. Or He may give you a few goals in what I like to call my "F" CATEGORIES (Faith, Family, Finances, Friends, Fun, Fantasy, Food & Fitness).
In 2008, I had only one goal for the whole year. It was taken from a scripture verse that I pretty much felt was the starting place to having a successful life. If I didn't get this one down as a life-long habit, I had no foundation on which to build any consequent goals upon. The one-verse or marching order He gave me was...."Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
In order to really contemplate the verse He had given me, I began to write it in all the translations that I could find it in; highlighting the key words that stood out to me in each version. Then I looked it up in Spanish; that was powerful!! I could have even gone so far as to have pulled out my Strong's Concordance and chewed it up even further in the Greek or Hebrew. Whatever it takes to get those marching orders deep in our hearts.
Our next step could be to begin to ask God to give us small, bite-sized action steps on how to begin pecking away at the goal.
To use the example of the year He gave me that ONE Scripture verse, what I did was I began to ask myself what each part of the verse meant to me. The first part said, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God (Cristina)," so my Action Step #1 was I want to consistently purpose to wake up 45 minutes earlier M-F to have a full meal (not a snack) with the Lord via the Word & prayer. Hence, I want to seek Him first. Show Him my reverence & respect.
Okay....but what did that mean to me practically in my day? What changes did I need to make to my daily habits in order to be successful at this? For starters...I had to train myself to go to bed at 9pm...as opposed to 12 midnight. Just this one habit took me 6 months to implement consistently! To break down the corresponding action steps that you'll need to take in order to reach that goal. Make it fun!
Another thing He gave me with that verse was other supporting Scriptures of where Jesus himself made a DAILY HABIT of waking long before the sun rose to meet with His heavenly father. I took those scripture verses and sowed them into my life. It may work instantly, gradually, or very slowly over time....but keep sowing and you will reap!
GOING EVEN FURTHER ...... What's the 3 P Formula?
(Personal, Present tense, Positive)
Step #1 Make it personal. Begin every affirmation with the word "I".
Ex. I rise early to meet with Jesus at 5am.
Step #2 Use an Action Verb in the Present Tense. You are calling things that presently are not, as though there are!
Ex. I rise...I weigh...I speak...I vacation....I teach....I follow.....I eat.....I work....I drive....I give....I drink....I jog
Step #3 Make it positive, specific & add a deadline.
Ex. I rise refreshed & eager to meet with Jesus at 5am M-F.
I weigh 125 lbs. consistently all year.
I drink a life-giving green juice twice daily at 5am & 5pm.
I speak kindly & in a gentle tone to my kids daily.
I vacation in a Spanish speaking country 1 month each summer.
I initiate intimacy with my husband every Wednesday in 2012.
I eat my last meal M-F at 6:00pm nightly.
I schedule one free speaking engagement per month in 2012.
I am filled with energy & mental clarity all day.
I invite ONE person weekly to the Wednesday night service at CCFtL.
I choose to delight & respond to my husband's touch 1 night per week.
I fast from food every Monday.
Now... this is going to take you some time, so go slowly and enjoy it as it unfolds in your quiet time with the Lord. This may be hard for some of you. Just give it a try. Oh...and Give yourself permission to dream & laugh....U Shine On Girl!
We will meet in January to begin discussing, refining & encouraging each other on the new goals that God has for us in this New Year. I can't wait to walk this road of refinement & accountability with you all. God Bless You!
