We are a few days into the new year. I would guess that many of us have set some goals. I came across an interesting list recently. It lists six activities that influence the person you will be in five years.
First, the person you will be in five years depends largely on the books you read. I know that some of you don’t like reading. I get it. But, study after study shows that people who succeed at their goals read. I would add that if you can choose only one book, make it the Bible. No other book has the wisdom needed to become the person God has created us to be.
Second, the person you will be in five years depends largely on the people with whom you spend time. This is an important one. This doesn’t mean we shut ourselves away from the world or shut people out of our life because they can’t help us advance toward our goals. It does mean that we ought to intentionally seek out relationships with people who desire to grow and some who are further along than ourselves. I would encourage you to enter into a 1-1 discipleship relationship or a small group. These offer excellent opportunities to be around people seeking God’s best for their lives.
Third, the person you will be in five years depends largely on the food you eat. This is my least favorite on the list. I guess it’s because I struggle with this one the most. A mantra I consistently speak into my life is “I don’t live to eat, but eat to live.” It’s not that I can’t have some good treats here and there, but good food promotes good thinking. A healthier me is a sharper me. I know this is true. However, I do treat myself to a Big Mac on occasion.
Fourth, the person you will be in five years depends largely on the habits you adopt. If I seek to grow, I will need to drop some habits that don’t benefit my growth journey and adopt others that will. Habits like reading the Bible, prayer, times of reflection, exercise, and, well, you get the picture, are needed if we are to be the people God has created us to be.
Fifth, the person you will be in five years depends largely on the conversations you engage in. I am reminded that the Scriptures teach that I am to “Let no corrupting talk come out of my mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29). This is equally true of the words I let enter my ears. A corrupt word tears down relationships. Good speaking builds up both speaker and hearer. If we decide to grow, we ought to be in conversations that help us do so.
Sixth, the person you will be in five years depends largely on the time you invest to achieve your goals. This goes back to what I wrote earlier. Most of us have set some goals for the new year. The question is not our intentions but our commitment. I have learned that setting goals is only as helpful as writing and executing a plan. If it’s to be, I need to invest some time, which is up to me.
I would add one final thing to this list. It’s tied to this promise of Christ, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20b). Those of us in Christ are never alone. We never need to operate out of our wisdom or strength alone. Christ is with us, offering His wisdom and infusing us with His strength. So, if we seek to grow this next year, the list of six I have shared will help, but let me encourage us not to forget the One who has invited us to do life with Him. He is our Savior and Lord, and as we focus on Him, He will lead us to appropriate the things on this list and so much more in our pursuit of reaching our full kingdom protentional in Him. God always provides for what He has called us to do and be. So, go take on this year with Him. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!