Crossing this momentous millennium dateline warrants setting challenging goals. Whether you use resolutions, promises or prayer, wouldn't it be nice to see some real change occur in your life in the coming year?
Of this I am certain: it takes great effort, burning desire and tremendous focus to achieve anything worthwhile. Psalms 1:3 says that "....whatsoever you do shall prosper." God blesses what you do--not what you wish for, hope for, talk about or merely desire. He watches what you do with your desire. God can tell the intensity of your dreams by observing your work habits. Have you put work boots on your passion? If you have, God says He will help manifest your dreams.
There is nothing like partnering with the God of the universe in your endeavors. As you seek to resolve issues in your life to bring about positive change, consider making God your advisor. When God gets involved in a project, He shows up with the wisdom you need.
In the scriptures, we find that the widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17) had to work to bring about a miraculous change for herself and her son. Gathering the sticks and preparing the meal for what she thought would be her last supper took effort. The work came first and then the blessing. It was only after she had fed the Prophet Elijah that her unending blessing appeared. Do not prepare a list of goals or utter a prayer for which you are not willing to work.
This year, as you make resolutions, apply elbow grease to your dreams. If you are not interested enough in working to make your dreams come true, God is not interested either. Have you ever been assigned a task with someone who had no interest in the project? Discouraging, wasn't it? It is the same with God. Make certain apathy is not the main ingredient flavoring your prayers and resolutions.
God showed great displeasure with the unprofitable servant for not investing his talent (Matthew 25:25-30). The servant hid his talent rather than put it to work. Because the servant did nothing, God had nothing to bless and nothing to prosper on behalf of this man. The other servants, who were given talents, made investments. Remember Psalms l:3: "...whatsoever you do will prosper."
What does this saying mean? If you are trying to achieve a goal, you must make a continual effort to bring your desires to pass. You must put legs on your prayers.
Almost without exception, people have incredible stories to tell of how the efforts of work changed their conditions. Making your desires, goals and wishes a reality involves more than wishful thinking II Chronicles 15:7 says "Be ye strong therefore and let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded."
I am not going to tell you what you should want for the genesis of the 21st Century, but I do caution that you should not wish or pray for anything for which you are not going to invest your time, sweat, and tears. If you approach the millennium with rolled up sleeves and a determination not deterred by the sweat of your brow or a difficult path; if you step in to the new millennium prepared to work hard and persevere you will reap manifold blessings.
Go confidently with God into the 21st Century. He alone knows the brightness of your future.
