Most people think in weeks rather than in decades resulting in the quality of people’s daily decisions being diminished because they look at the short-term rather than the long-term effects of what they do and seek to become.
But what if you focused on starting things today that will help you move towards the future you want to have?
Imagine for a moment what story you want to be telling in five to ten years from now.
Take a minute or two and write down your thoughts about what God might want in your future. You don’t have to sign your life away or commit to anything this second, just write some things down and get your thoughts clear on paper... Go on grab a piece of paper or your device and write something down. :)
After you have a sense of what you want and what God might be saying to you ask yourself what one discipline you can start to move forward toward what you have written down.
The Power Of One Thing
The power of adding one thing that you will consistently do may not seem like much, but over five years if you stick to that decision and then choose to add one discipline a year, in five years you will have five disciplines in your life locked in. Keep doing that every year and imagine what type of person you will have become and what sort of things you will have made part of your story.
Take for example saving a percentage of your pay each week. Over time that small amount may not sound like a lot, but consistency over time with compounding interest will make a difference. Small amounts add up.
Or disciplining yourself to daily read God’s word and making it a priority. What difference can taking the time with Jesus every day make in your spiritual life and in guiding your life? Plus what mess-ups will be avoided because you are focusing on how and where God is leading you rather than only your wisdom or allowing yourself to become distracted or lead in other directions by everything else around you?
Or choosing to exercise. Taking care of yourself is important and most people lead lifestyles that are TOO busy not to exercise. If we don’t take care of ourselves we won’t be any good to ourselves or anyone else. Five, or ten years from now, if you start working out today, you will be in much better physical shape rather than struggling with health issues that could have been averted.
Perhaps it’s scheduling regular quality time with your friends, partner, and family. Making time for catch-ups, sending a text, family dinners, coffee with friends, calling to check in and give some encouragement, being home to tuck your kids in at night, and date nights and time spent with your partner. What a difference choosing to prioritise the people in your life consistently will make in your relationships.
There are thousands of things that you can start today that in even one year, let alone ten years you will be glad you started. Relationships, your spiritual life, that book finished, an instrument learned, an exercise and healthy eating routine, a hobby or pursuit that you have become proficient in. All these become part of your story. All you have to do is start!
Today I encourage you to write down just one thing you can begin. There is no better time than now to start writing your future story and if you don’t start today then a year from now you’ll wish you had.
Start a discipline today that will help shape your future you. Just start where you are, take a step, and begin.
“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind” (C.S Lewis)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
“And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.” (Job 8:7 ESV)
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here” (2 Corinthians 5;17)
Prayer: Lord thank you that you have a plan for me. Please help me to focus on what you have laid upon my heart to become and to see where I can start something today to make part of my story. Today is a great day to start something new! In Jesus name Amen.