For the last, oh I don't know, ten years, I'd committed to reading through the entire Bible. I'd get excited, open the Bible daily and read a chapter or two, but as with many goals, by the time I read through Genesis, fifty other books stole my attention and the remainder of the year, reading through the Bible was hit or miss.
I'd failed miserably.
In 2019, I set a rule for myself. The first activity I would do in the morning would be to read a devotional and the Bible. Temptations of social media, email, television, and any other distraction use to steal my mornings but no more, because I'd set a boundary and I wanted to stay within the bounds.
I missed a couple of days here and there, mainly when I was traveling. I'm almost through the entire Bible and it's amazing how God speaks to us when we are in his word and listening to his ever guiding voice.
On December 28th, God turned on a facet of writing ideas that hasn't shutoff. What he is given me is good. There is no way on Earth I could have come up with what is flowing through me onto paper.
I share this story of commitment because as I was chatting with my friend/personal trainer Zach and it hit me, that if we want to see change, results, or difference in our life, it doesn't happen overnight.
We reflected on my weight loss journey. For three months, as I trained with him, eating healthy and working out, I saw almost zero results. The lack of evidence of my hard work frustrated me, but he kept telling me to stay on the course. I trusted his expertise and continued to do as he instructed. And sure enough, after the three-month mark hit, still staying faithful to the plan, the pounds started to melt off.
I share both stories to say, if you've been working toward a goal but aren't seeing the results you expected, keep going, even if you stumble, move forward.
Yesterday as I read my devotional, the verse Proverbs 16:3 smacked me in the face, "Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."
The verse doesn't state commit your good intentions, it says, "commit your actions."
I believe the good book has given us all we need to be successful if life, but at the end of the day we have free will and we must act to succeed.
Blessings,
Stephanie
Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of “The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life” and "The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life"
