Gone is the hustle-and-bustle of the Christmas season, and as we lounge together as a family in our pajamas on Christmas day, the reality that another year end is one week away always invites me to take inventory.

As I was looking for definitions of the word inventory, the intrinsic meaning of the word in latin inventarium jumped from the page:

Late Middle English: from medieval Latin inventorium, alteration of late Latin inventarium, literally ‘a list of what is found.’

My husband worked as an inventory manager for Coca-Cola for many years, where his plant was recognized as #1 in inventory accuracy in the country for several years in a row. I remember our long conversations, where he explained the importance of accuracy in inventory in every process of manufacturing. From the raw goods that enter the factory to counting the losses on the assembly line, to the finished products as they leave the factory and reach the warehouse.

In each process, my husband and his team were committed to knowing exactly how much product they had. The process is mathematical, and therefore good inventory accurately reports only the facts.

It is with this process in mind that I tend to approach the end of each year.

I look at the goals that I had set out to accomplish in January, pick up the clipboard and start going through the list.

Invariably, what starts as a positive task quickly becomes an exercise in self-judgment.

Why?

Because – confession time – I recognize that:

• I don’t offer myself much grace when I fail.
• When I look honestly at my goals for the year, I must admit that not all the bullet points in the list were God-given.

Some may have been great, well-meaning ideas. But they were mine. Not God’s.

Ouch.

As it goes, my tendency is to look at my accomplishments for the year that is ending with cynical eyes – ready to judge my lack of commitment to some of the goals I had set out. The result is a New Year’s Eve often filled with a sense of defeat… and a deep urge to set out goals, once again.

Good motives… wrong process… even worse approach.

My tendency is to look at my accomplishments for the year that is ending with cynical eyes, ready to judge my lack of commitment to some of the goals I had set out. Good motives… wrong process… even worse approach.
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As I looked for a passage to illustrate my point, the Lord led me to Acts 20:1-24.

Paul had been traveling through Macedonia and Greece, accompanied by several leaders of the church. He then sailed to Troas, where he raised Eutychus from the dead. He continued to cities in present-day Greece: Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos and finally arrived in Miletus (Greece), where he sent for the Elders of the Ephesian church. When the elders arrived, Paul reminded them of how he had been fulfilling God’s commands to him as an apostle of Christ: to preach the gospel with boldness, wherever the Lord sent him. And then he says:

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:18-24 (emphasis mine)

As I read this account, a confirmation on something God has been showing me about my work for the Kingdom flashed through my mind.

Paul did not have a New Year’s resolution list.

I cannot imagine him going through a list of how many books he should write, and how many times he would speak that year.

Paul didn’t waste time thinking about how popular his ministry was… or if there would be provision for him when he reached items 4 and 5 in his New Year’s list.

Nope.

Paul’s words as he “inventoried” his journey to the elders, centered in only two objectives:

• Act as the Spirit compelled.
• Complete the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace for as long as the Lord allowed.

My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 #2020Vision
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Paul’s single-mindedness and method to accomplish his goals called me to reevaluate the way I approach my inventory of 2019.

And… It put a smile on my face.

Because the truth is – I have accomplished the two tasks that God had put in my heart to accomplish this year for Soaring with Him:

• The first online Bible Study for the ministry platform is ready and I am working with our web designer to have it launched in the beginning of March – CHECK.
• She Soars Conference happened in April, and it was a wonderful day of teaching and worship that blessed 130 women and glorified the Lord – CHECK.

The other bullet points on my list were add-ons. My ideas, not His. And so, some of them did not get done.

And it’s ok.

Yes, my friend. God’s objectives for us every day are much simpler than we often set them up to be! God’s objective is never to overwhelm us with endless tasks, which are often centered in making US successful in the world’s eyes.

His path is clear and uncomplicated.

His instructions are few… and often one at a time.

And the proofs that we are walking on His path, not ours, are the (often miraculous) open doors, the people He sends to help us, and the provision that we need to accomplish the tasks He assigns.

The proofs that we are walking on His path, not ours, are the (often miraculous) open doors, the people He sends to help us, and the provision that we need to accomplish the tasks He assigns. #2020Vision
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With this new approach in mind, I want to take this blog post to share with you God’s 2020 plan for Soaring with Him Ministries, and invite you to partner with us by volunteering, praying and giving:

Our one goal:

To bring glory to God by challenging women to build a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our tasks for 2020:

• Launch the online Bible Study for my book Twelve Inches – coming up in March.
• Host the fourth annual She Soars Conference in the Fall.
• Write the second online Bible Study – Pressing On – A Study of the book of Ezra.

That’s it. The goal is clear, the tasks are not many, but they are God-given. And I would love for you to join us in the mission Yahweh has given us.

It’s a 2020 Vision. Clear Vision. Will you join us?

Will you consider giving to our Non-profit? If you give before midnight December 31st, your gift is still tax-deductible for 2019. Your gifts will help us give free Bible Studies and scholarships for our women’s conference. Click below to be directed to our Donations Page:

The post 2019 Inventory / 2020 Vision appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

It’s the same story every January. Gyms are filled with people recommitting to exercise. Health food companies’ profits skyrocket, as dieters rush to purchase healthier food options.  We feel compelled to pledge new dedication to our goals and dreams.  The New Year seems to bring along a thread of new hope and endurance to our December-weary bodies.

As I retreated to pray about the New Year, a wave of questions danced across my mind. What would my objectives for 2019 be? How could I be more effective for God’s kingdom?

“What do You want me to focus on, Father?”

For several minutes I prayed for direction.  And as I silenced, this question popped in my mind:

“How will you look like next December?”

I knew it, instantly – the task ahead of me this year would not require more time in the gym. It would not require more writing or more serving. His main objective for my year involves transformation. Life-changing, Heaven-driven heart transformation.

It dawned on me that most people’s New Year’s resolutions (including my own) have usually little or nothing to do with God or His work. Rather, they usually focus on satisfying the imminent year with good things and betterment of self.

There is nothing wrong with seeking to improve our quality of life, the shape of our bodies, or fulfilling our dreams. However, there is a specific challenge ahead of the believer at the dawn of each day, which is often overlooked: more than looking better or accomplishing more, our main goal should be to become more like Jesus. Be His hands and feet in the world more often. Stand up and stand out more. Be bolder. Brighter. Holier.

To become more like Jesus. Now that’s a New Year’s resolution!

More than looking better or accomplishing more, our main #NewYearsgoal should be to become more like Jesus. To stand up & stand out. Be bolder. Brighter. Holier.
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Should the world… no, wait! Should all believers set this up as their highest goal for the New Year, what kind of impact would we make in society?

Choosing to offer the other cheek to the co-worker who tried to undermine your project… (Luke 6:29)

Forgiving someone who has hurt you beyond words…  (Colossians 3:13)

Watching each word of condemnation… of discouragement… or gossip… (James 3:8-11)

Waiting on God’s timing for the right relationship… (Psalm 37: 7-9)

Being watchful and reprimanding prideful thoughts and selfish ambitions… (James 3:14-16)

Choosing to trust God in the midst of each trial… (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Withholding anger… bitterness… hateful words… (Ephesians 4:29)

Ouch.  All of a sudden, hours on the treadmill and dieting seem to be an easy task, right?

Indeed, although we are fully equipped to live holier lives, we often choose not to. We may settle for old behaviors instead of relying on the transforming power of His Word. We may choose to take the reins of our lives, instead of waiting on His promises. We may choose to pay back instead of extending grace. We may decide to wave angry fists at God when things do not go as we planned, instead of trusting that His ways are higher, better and bathed in perfect love.

All along, the Holy Spirit within us cries out for MORE. More time with Yahweh.  More acts of kindness. More of His Fruit. More of Jesus’ character in us and through us.

The Holy Spirit within us cries out for MORE. More time with Yahweh. More acts of kindness. More of His Fruit. More of Jesus’ character in us and through us. #NewYearsresolutions #NewYear2019
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So I present a challenge to you today:

It’s January. We have twelve months ahead of us. More than focusing on how much better we will look or how much more accomplished we will become, how about you and I choose to walk so close to Jesus this year, that His glory will radically transform us? How about we so exercise our spiritual muscles through reading His Word, listening to His voice and obeying His will, that we will finish 2019 looking fitter, stronger and more successful than ever?

I choose Jesus as my highest pursuit this year. How about you?

He is the only goal that will certainly never disappoint… or fail us.

I choose Jesus as my highest pursuit this year. How about you? He is the only goal that will certainly never fail us. #NewYearsresolutions #NewYear2019
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