Ron Aulbach

There are two universal truths this time of year: 1) ArtVan will have a sale, and 2) your New Years resolutions have long been forgotten. There is something about the new year that calls us to examine our life and goals. We’ve reached the end that is also the beginning. But a month into the New Year and you’ve hit the brakes and can’t figure out how to get it back in gear when it comes to those resolutions. Whether it’s getting a better handle on personal finances, improving your health, setting better boundaries at work or growing spiritually, the hard work has just begun. So, how do we get back on track?

Ask yourself this question, “Is what I’m doing right now leading to the goals and dreams I’ve set, or am I just surviving?” Key words are “right now!” It’s easy to go through life fighting fires but achieving the goals you’ve set requires discipline to keep the mission before you. “I will run five miles today because I want to finish my first marathon.” Or, “I will pack a lunch so that I’m not tempted to eat out.” You may have to ask that question several times throughout the day because let’s be honest, it’s easy to go through life in survival mode.

A study by Duke University found that 40% of the decisions we make aren’t really decisions at all, they’re simply habits we’ve formed. Good habits lead to good decisions and bad habits lead to bad decisions. It works with everything and it’s why it takes time to train yourself in the new habits needed to stick to your goals. If your goal is to read the bible in a year, it takes the habit of opening it every day and reading three chapters. Kind of an interesting experiment, look back on your day and examine how you spent it. You might find yourself saying, “I was on Facebook for 45 min and have no idea how I got there.” Or “I thought about that issue for hours because I was filled with regret.” And, “That person annoyed me so much that I couldn’t get them out of my mind.” Some thoughts and actions are just unhealthy and linked to survival mode instead of leading towards the mission you and God are on together.

It’s an exciting, and at times a daunting journey to follow your goals and dreams. Some of you reading this have the dream of honoring God in your marriage. Having a business that stands out because of the good it does. The type of character that never gives in or compromises. The words of God to Joshua are so true “you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before” (Joshua 3:4). The habits are new, the path is unfamiliar all because you’ve never been this way before. Keep going in that direction, a life on mission.