COUNT THE COST
- bh Shonda J
- Jan 2, 2017
- 3 min read
WELCOME TO 2017! 2016 was a crazy ride, filled with sometimes more downs than we thought we can handle, and many ups that we worked hard to get to. Of course, because it is a new year, everyone has new momentum and is filled with excitement about transforming their lives. This same excitement fills the air at my home.
Last night (01/01/17), I found myself journaling, answering the following questions:
What do I want each day in my 2017 to look like?
What do I want to become accustomed to in 2017? What is the new normal I am establishing for my family and lifestyle?
As I answered these two questions in my journal, Luke 14:28 ESV weighed heavily on my mind:
“For which of you desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?”
You see beloved, I could sit there and write all day about what I want and expect, but the bigger question turned out to be “HOW DO I GET WHAT I EXPECT?” For example, one of the things I wrote was “I want to become accustomed to family chiropractic care- regular adjustments.” According to Luke 14:28, I must also count the cost of such an expectation for my life.
How much does each chiropractic session cost?
Based on the price, how many sessions can we afford to pay for?
Where will reallocate funds from in our budget without compromising our savings or using our credit cards?
Counting the cost requires you to become very focused and very specific, and depending on the cost, you can decide if you want to pay that price. Therefore, instead of failing because of laziness and procrastination, you can just decide that you don’t want to pay that price right now. Be honest with yourself, aren’t you tired of not losing the weight because you won’t resist the food? What will dieting cost you?
Preparing 90% of your meals at home
Conscious grocery shopping
Not going to happy hour
Skipping out on some group dates or bringing your own food
Strategic grocery shopping
You may need to purchase a meal plan from a trainer
When you break your goals down into the cost (THE HOW), then you can really understand what you can expect from the effort you put into achieving them.
I am a firm believer that God wants us to taste and see that He is good (Psalm 34:8), and that He will definitely fulfill His purpose for our lives (Psalm 138:8). I also believe that these experiences come from obedience, surrender and wisdom. If you want to have a great year, make it a great one, plan your time and finances accordingly so that you can fit, working out, reading, devotion, cooking, family time, an 8-12hr job, planning business, blogging, spending quality time serving others and going to church in one day. Nothing, absolutely nothing is too hard for you to accomplish. Why? Because absolutely NOTHING is too hard or too simple for God (Jeremiah 32:27). He also cares about your nutrition habits, your workout regimen, you being debt free, your credit score going up and you being happy. He created you to do good works
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
Unfortunately, most people won’t accomplish their goals in 2017, life is distracting and people are attracted to laziness (you can be busy and still lazy). But I plan on accomplishment my goal. What is that goal?
To be an example of faithfulness, living in the truth that NOTHING is too hard for me, because I am the temple of THE One True Living God for whom NOTHING is too hard or too small. The limitlessness of God saturates my life. I plan to spend more time in prayer, being poured INTO by God, and spend time weekly in service pouring out what He pours in.
I’ve counted the cost of such a goal, by breaking it down into more specific goals with dates and prices. I know what needs to be sacrificed now in order to achieve these goals. I know what I need to do to practice success.
Every time you choose not to act, not to work and not to change you take away from what 2018 and 2050 could be for you and those you hold dear. No it is never too late to start living a purpose driven life, but just in case 2018 Is the year everyone writes RIP instead of Happy Birthday on your timeline, get to work!
REMINDERS:
My book Broke Down Christians is now available on amazon.com in kindle version and paperback. https://www.amazon.com/Broke-Down-Christians-Confession-compromised/dp/0692820116/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483401350&sr=8-1&keywords=broke+down+christians
留言