Making appointments with each of my several
staff members, to review, challenge, and plan, becomes a bit more daunting each
January. Daunting, I suppose, because
each year, each staff member knows more about the day to day functions of our
organization, than me. Also, I continue to think that “my way,” of approach is
probably better than most of the staff.
At any rate, it was on one of these half day appointments that we
stopped and during the course of lunch we began to talk about old habits that are proving useless. Then began to make resolving plans of change. Thus, new year resolutions and how easily
tempting it would be to put to the side after only a short number period of time.
After lunch, we continued our visitation, driving toward our next site, when all at once my employee began laughing and pointed out a billboard: "Make a New Year's resolution to give up an old habit," which a fledgling electric toothbrush company was trying to woo away patrons from the traditional manual toothbruash. This is the time of the year when the very word "resolution" had caught both our attention, and we recognized the advertisement was cashing in on the sentiment.
Over the years, I've created resolutions varying in various depths of meaning. Most of my resolutions have proved to be short-term and therefore more easily evaluated than overarching values or life purposes. But even if I am successful every year in keeping a resolution, does that mean that I can, towards the twilight years of my life, say I have lived successfully? I'm not sure I would go as far as to say so.
In the early chapters of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus shows far more than resolution to live a particular life. Overwhelmed with the pressures of popularity to the extent that "the whole city gathered at the door," Jesus did two things (Mark 1:33). In response to the people before him, he first met all of their needs. He healed their diseases and cast out their demons. But then, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place to pray.
Immediately upon finding him, his disciples gave him what seems like an exaggerated report: "Everyone is looking for you!" they exclaimed (1:37). Gently and confidently, Jesus set the course, telling them his plans on fulfilling his mission. "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for" (1:38). Popularity did not distract him. The great degree of need did not prevent him from focusing on what he needed to do. Jesus knew his mission in life, and every action worked toward this end.
When I think about it, everyone in this world has some form of a mission statement, though often it is not formally stated. Many have implicit mission statements to make money or to become powerful or to be successful or to optimize pleasure. I also realize that; though many of my goals or resolutions are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves, they become empty when elevated beyond what the accomplishment itself can provide. Success in the stock market does not make for a successful life. There is a vast difference between a resolution and a mission statement. I believe I was meant for far more than any accomplishment of my own can provide.
When looking in the mirror of God's Word, I find that God not only has a plan for life itself, but a plan for my life. John reports, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12). Jesus gives me the only mission statement that extends beyond this life and into the next.
My experience, demonstrates the fact that a clearly expressed mission statement may go against the grain of my natural inclinations and thinking. But having a clear purpose in mind helps to expose my unvoiced, inadequate mission statements and verbalize the larger existential purpose of life and the direction God has set before me. I sometimes struggle to remain on track, but I walk not alone. As someone has said, "There is joy in the journey." And I might add, for the follower of Christ, there is also a sense of fulfillment at the journey's end.
So once again I’m taking the time this year to articulate a mission statement for your life? Also, I’m confident that this could well be the resolution that leads me closer to the one who revolutionizes the remainder of my life.
After lunch, we continued our visitation, driving toward our next site, when all at once my employee began laughing and pointed out a billboard: "Make a New Year's resolution to give up an old habit," which a fledgling electric toothbrush company was trying to woo away patrons from the traditional manual toothbruash. This is the time of the year when the very word "resolution" had caught both our attention, and we recognized the advertisement was cashing in on the sentiment.
Over the years, I've created resolutions varying in various depths of meaning. Most of my resolutions have proved to be short-term and therefore more easily evaluated than overarching values or life purposes. But even if I am successful every year in keeping a resolution, does that mean that I can, towards the twilight years of my life, say I have lived successfully? I'm not sure I would go as far as to say so.
In the early chapters of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus shows far more than resolution to live a particular life. Overwhelmed with the pressures of popularity to the extent that "the whole city gathered at the door," Jesus did two things (Mark 1:33). In response to the people before him, he first met all of their needs. He healed their diseases and cast out their demons. But then, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place to pray.
Immediately upon finding him, his disciples gave him what seems like an exaggerated report: "Everyone is looking for you!" they exclaimed (1:37). Gently and confidently, Jesus set the course, telling them his plans on fulfilling his mission. "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for" (1:38). Popularity did not distract him. The great degree of need did not prevent him from focusing on what he needed to do. Jesus knew his mission in life, and every action worked toward this end.
When I think about it, everyone in this world has some form of a mission statement, though often it is not formally stated. Many have implicit mission statements to make money or to become powerful or to be successful or to optimize pleasure. I also realize that; though many of my goals or resolutions are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves, they become empty when elevated beyond what the accomplishment itself can provide. Success in the stock market does not make for a successful life. There is a vast difference between a resolution and a mission statement. I believe I was meant for far more than any accomplishment of my own can provide.
When looking in the mirror of God's Word, I find that God not only has a plan for life itself, but a plan for my life. John reports, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12). Jesus gives me the only mission statement that extends beyond this life and into the next.
My experience, demonstrates the fact that a clearly expressed mission statement may go against the grain of my natural inclinations and thinking. But having a clear purpose in mind helps to expose my unvoiced, inadequate mission statements and verbalize the larger existential purpose of life and the direction God has set before me. I sometimes struggle to remain on track, but I walk not alone. As someone has said, "There is joy in the journey." And I might add, for the follower of Christ, there is also a sense of fulfillment at the journey's end.
So once again I’m taking the time this year to articulate a mission statement for your life? Also, I’m confident that this could well be the resolution that leads me closer to the one who revolutionizes the remainder of my life.
