I was so excited when 2021 rounded the corner. For the first time in YEARS, I would have the time and ability to join a bible study. Thank you, COVID, for making this accessible.
However, after months of dutifully giving myself to the Word, I realized I was frustrated, maybe even a little offended with God.
You see, I am the kind of person who likes to see the ROI (Return on Investment). I can be patient for so long, then I need to see the fruit of my labor. I wanted to see a measurable difference in some aspect of my life. Was I becoming a better woman? Was my thinking being transformed? Was I growing in the fruits of the Spirit? I didn’t see it or feel it.
As I sat reading through Chapter 1 of Hebrews for the 100th time (Thank You, Precept Ministries) I just had to stop and talk to the Lord about it.
"Father, I want to see the fruit of my labor. I am giving myself to the Word and You say it is alive, living and active and sharper than any 2-edged sword, but I don't feel it alive in me. Is it changing me? Transforming me? Making me more like you? Am I having revelation in your Word, you know, the kind that I can chew on, teach on, and transforms me? I'm just not feeling it Father. COME and let me see your face in the Word. Guide me."
And you know what, still nothing.
No mountain moving revelation, no new illumination, nada…
So, I had a choice to make.
Would I stay steady to the discipline of purposefully studying the Word?
Would I stay steady in doing the homework?
Would I stay steady in showing up for my Zoom class week after week?
YES, because I have a desire (a goal) to be a woman of excellence:
'Excellence is not a singular act; it's a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.' ~Will Durant
No one ever drifted to the destination they chose. (12-Week Year)
I made a choice that day, and continue to make a choice to develop these daily habits that will take me step-by-slow-step into become the woman I long to be. I will stay steady.
I build these habits in my relationship with my husband, in relationships with others. I don’t want to drift aimlessly through life.
As Lead-Hers, women who are choosing to develop self-leadership so that we can lead our families and others well, we can choose the destination we are aiming for.
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION
Where do you want to be a year from now? Clearly define it.
When you are choosing a destination for travel, you don’t say, “Oh, I think I’ll go to the mountains.” You decide which mountain range you want to visit, what time of the year you want to go, what city you will stay in, etc. You PLAN YOUR DESTINATION CLEARLY.
What is your destination as it relates to one or two of these areas of life?
Relationships
Finances
Health
Living situation
Recreation
Emotional Well-being
Spiritual Growth
SMALL STEPS MATTER
A habit is that small daily step that keeps you going forward.
After choosing a destination in 1 or 2 of the above areas, list 1-2 habits that you would like to incorporate that will move you toward that destination.
Developing habits is HARD WORK.
It takes an average of 66 days to form a new automatic habit. So, don’t grow weary. Find the support you need to become the woman you desire to be.
STAY STEADY
As for me, I come. I keep coming and keep expecting that one day, I will see the evidence of a life spent gazing at Jesus in the Word. I form (or re-form) the habit of reading the Word of God daily.
I might get frustrated, weary, and offended,
but I will still keep showing up.
I stay steady in this discipline.
I eat my daily bread in order to become a Lead-Her of excellence.
As women Lead-Hers, learning to lead ourselves, our families, and others with a spirit of excellence, we must be diligent to form habits that are life-giving and transformational.
What we give our time to matters.
At the dawn of a new year, what habit do you need to develop that keep your feet moving forward?
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