Where are you going this year?

Oh, I wish I could hear your answers—your hopes and dreams. Let your heart soar and your mind wander around that very large question. The answer will lead you to our topic for this week—what is your Life Theme for ?

More often than not, we talk resolutions and goals at the beginning of a new year. And goals are great. We need goals. But sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness of making and meeting our goals that we forget the bigger picture of true transformation. So this year I’d like to take a broader approach and determine an over-arching life theme for the year.

The best way to start this process of discovery is to pray. Ask God to reveal what He would have you focus on this year. After you take some time to listen and possibly journal some ideas and thoughts, then list a few of your most desired goals. What do they have in common? Do they require you to be more focused? More health oriented? More balanced? Take a few moments to narrow down what the bigger picture is and try to get it to one main concept, one main word. What is it?

Some great examples: Balance, Serving, Relationships, Parenting, Authenticity, Finances, Self-care, Nutrition. Honestly, the list is endless.

All of these themes are big. And I bet reaching any one of them seems daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Change starts at the crossroads of every decision. And the result of every decision will lead you either toward your life theme or away from it. So what will you choose at the crossroads of this new year?

After a lot of thought, I’ve identified my personal life theme for 2016 to be the Year of Balance. My charge is to allow this “life theme of balance” to influence and flavor my thoughts during the days, weeks, and months of this year. So that, when faced with decisions, I will pass them through this filter of balance to make sure they are lining up with what I really feel God is working in me.

Something I have found to be valuable in this journey is having a script ready for when I’m struggling to make healthy choices. I do two things to set myself up for success.  First, I remind myself of the reason why I’m trying to make this particular change. And second, I say, out loud, a companion scripture. Something that speaks truth and life into the change I’m trying to make.

These two prompts help to keep my thoughts positive and my focus on the forward momentum of where I want to go instead of relying on the old habits that are keeping me stuck.

In this journey of transformation will we make the right choices every time? Probably not, but our goal is to grow into more of who God is calling us to be and the only way to do that is to work at it—one foot in front of the other, one day at a time. And before you know it, one good decision leads to two, and two leads to three, and so on.

It is good to remember that even a few steps back can’t take away the positive benefits you receive from each step forward. So, when you are standing at the crossroads of decision, activate what our scripture for this week says—consider your path and ask God to help you make good decisions that lead to blessing and rest for your soul.

Now it’s your turn. What do you feel God is trying to work in you this year? What is your personal Life Theme for 2016?

Reflect and Respond:

This week I would like to encourage you to get quiet and listen to what God may be calling you to focus on this year. If you would like to share your 2016 Life Theme, we would love to hear from you.

Remember, you are not alone. Be blessed this week as you discover who you want to be this year and where you believe God is calling you to go.