DictionaryBeen in Chicago all week and posted many You Version notes but no blogs…
Sorry. Maybe I should have made it a new years goal to blog consistently – but I didn't!
I do have a new years goal that I mentioned in this YouVersion note on 1 John 3:16. This goal I heard from my friend at HX-21 the Navy test squadron, who's a retired Navy “phrog driver" and we were out in New Mexico flying test flights last year. Someone challenged him to run at least 1 mile every day all year long, and he was 4 months into it and said it really motivated him to at least get a little exercise every day.
Two things to mention this early Sunday morning before I either get a few hours sleep or go pursue another NYG. First is why I chose “goal" verses “resolution" to categorize what I'm attempting here. I really like the word resolution, but because most people don't keep their resolutions, the word has lost its power. I thought about this when a friend asked me if I had any New Years Resolutions. And I thought it was interesting how this happens with other words too – like “love" “faith" and “hope" – even the 3 things that my friend (and apostle) Paul writes to a church a long time ago… What is even more unfortunate is that the diminishing of the value of words happens the most with the one he calls “the greatest of these." I guess this idea really reinforces what I wrote on that YouVersion note I linked above.
The second point I wanted to make was about what I call “minimum goals." the daily 1 mile minimum, is a perfect example because it's just enough to get you started and takes less than 10 minutes, but when I start I usually find myself spending at least a few to several more minutes doing other exercise – its the minimum that gets things started. I'm reminded of a saying one of my past Commanding Officers use to say: “if we all just do the minimum, we'll be a successful squadron!" At first I really didn't like that because I pride myself in giving much more than the minimum in a lot of things, but now that it has had time to sink in, I'm a big believer in completing the minimum! And so I set minimum goals in other areas too – like contacting my brothers at least once a week with at least a text message, and like spending at least 5 minutes during a mile run to memorize scripture, and at the bare minimum taking the time before bed to pray with my son – for as long as he wants me there – every night that I'm home.
Here's to setting minimum goals so you can reach the maximum potential in your relationships and what matters most in life!
Peace,
Adam