I know most of us including myself can’t stand the talks of New Year’s Resolutions. As a pastor, and one who spends a good amount of time throughout the year working with youth camps and ministries, New Year’s Resolutions have become much like the “call to rededicate” every summer. Let’s be honest. You know what I’m talking about. If you’ve served in the church and/or attended youth camps much at all, you have either been the kid or seen the kid who has rededicated all 12 years since he was at Day Camp in Kindergarten. Not seeing any change in that kid becomes exhausting, and this is the feeling I get when anyone talks about New Year’s Resolutions - they’re a lame attempt to say, “I’ll change,” and yet change is never produced. But as the old saying goes maybe we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bath water (I feel like an old man using that saying, but it’s true).
In November of 2010, I attended a conference hosted by Indian Creek Christian Church and their pastor Dr. Gary Johnson. Gary shared an idea in one of the sessions that really caused me to think about making personal, yearly plans for my life. Each year he develops a plan and sets goals for how he needs/wants to become more like Christ. He calls this plan a LifeMap.
At first I thought, “I don’t need a list of “to-do’s” or a set of rules and goals to become more like Christ. It should just come naturally.” But why would I only think that way about my growth in Christ, my sanctification? I certainly don’t think, “I’ll just get in shape naturally, rather than worrying about eating right and exercising.” Or, “My business/ministry plans will just happen naturally, rather than careful and detailed planning.” Specific planning, recording goals and effectively monitoring progress are all great things that I have been guilty of throwing out in the wake of many broken New Year’s Resolutions. Timothy 4:7-8 says, “Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” In light of Scriptures like that I decided a LifeMap was good, and developing a plan for myself to pursue godliness and pursue Christ was good.
My goals were attainable, not lofty and general. They were specific to pursuing godliness, and specific to me individually. I was careful to not compare my goals to anyone else’s, but look honestly at myself and with humility develop a plan of becoming more like Christ in 2011 for me, not Gary Johnson, Louie Giglio, NT Wright, Chris Tomlin or anyone else. And you know what? At the end of 2011 I looked back at the year and could see real growth and change. I lived with more direction and purpose, and had more progress because I set a vision for myself. The LifeMap didn’t make the changes for me, but setting my mind and my heart towards something produced great change for me.
Having a plan is good. Monitoring progress and challenging ourselves are good. Call it whatever you’d like, LifeMap or New Year’s Resolutions (oh how I can’t stand that phrase), having a plan is a good thing. Live with a purpose. Train yourself. After all, what we live for is worth the effort, the discipline, and the intentional pursuit.
If you have questions about developing a LifeMap, I’d be glad to send you a copy of mine and help you along the way. Message me if I can help. I’m thankful for Gary emailing back and forth with me to help and challenge me in developing my first LifeMap. I just finished 2012’s last night. Excited for what’s ahead this year.
- Justin
