Why not create a fresh life direction?
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Would you like to create a new you? I’m having a blast recreating my life in several ways in the last few years. At a time when some might think I’m over the hill (I turned 61 this year), I’ve reinvented my life in some big ways: Carolyn and I built and moved into our dream house last year. This year I founded a new non-profit ministry. I changed careers to work full-time in the new ministry. I also recently launched a website, blog and podcast.
Maybe you’d like to create a new you—or at least a partly new you. How can you do it?
Here are 5 steps to create a new you in the new year:
1. Get a shot of spiritual adrenaline.
Since a new you starts as an inside job, the way to start is with a shot of spiritual adrenaline. There are two ways to get this:
a.There’s nothing more cataclysmic towards a new you than being “born again.”
Being “born again” is the term Jesus used for a spiritually new you. In fact, Jesus said “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 NLT)
If you have never been born again, learn how to do so HERE.
b.If you are already born again, then the spiritual adrenaline comes with being filled with the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
The Bible commands Christians to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 5:8) to have the power needed to create a new you. To learn how to do this, click HERE.
2. Find and confirm your vision for the new you.
To create a new you, a clear vision is vital. We’re not just talking about a dream or a thought. We’re talking about a commitment to create a new you.
How do you get such a conviction? I highly recommend a “Vision or Prayer Retreat.” The reason for such a retreat is to get away from the hubbub of everyday living and focus on the future and your vision for it.
“Where there is no vision the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV)
Your retreat might be for a few hours or a few days. It might be in a park or a library, or a resort. Just find a way to get away, think and pray about the new you.
I’ve written some steps for a vision retreat that you can follow HERE.
3. Determine steps to your vision.
Someone has said “A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.”
The first step is to map out the path that will take you to your destination. What are the steps to the vision of the new you?
“For want of a skillful strategy an army is lost; victory is the fruit of long planning.” (Proverbs 11:14 NEB)
To build our dream house, we needed to accomplish many steps. Those steps were laid out on a plan for the engineering of the lot and for the building of the house. We had a similar plan to launch our new non-profit ministry.
So, what are the steps that will take you to the new you?
4. Make daily progress.
Once you have a vision and the steps to create the new you, you’re well on your way. The next step is to determine what you can do each day to make progress toward your vision. Then do the next step each day.
Maybe you’ve heard this maxim: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time. How true. If you take a bite each day, eventually your elephant will be consumed.
“Inch by inch anything’s a cinch.”
5. Stay steadfast in your commitment.
If your new you is a challenging vision, this last step will be key. You’ll be inclined to give up after a few days, weeks or months of your quest. Perseverance is what really separates the men from the boys.
But remember that the joy is in the journey. Accomplishing the vision of a new you will be rewarding, but the journey can be just as fulfilling if not more so.
As the great Apostle Paul wrote, “Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”(Hebrews 12:1 NLT)
One day you’ll be able to celebrate the new you and this statement: “A large oak tree is just a little nut that refused to give up.”—David McGee
Additional resources about this subject on this site:
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