Last Days, First Days
Seven key practices that help one navigate endings and beginnings
By Rev. Phil Gunther, SKMB DM
“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun.” ~Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
“Our life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.” ~Jim Rohn
It is the season of making resolutions. Sadly, it is also the season of failed ones too. The gym I used to go to always had a throng of newcomers the first week of January. These newly passionate champions for fitness with their pristine Nike exercise gear enthusiastically sweated out push ups, jogged on treadmills, and pumped iron. The energy in the place was amazing! A month later most had determined their resolve to become fit or use weight had waned and subsequently reduced their attendance. Three months later, most sought ‘greener pastures’.
Full disclosure, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, at least in the commonly. understood manner. I do concur that January is a natural space to end certain things in one’s life as well as begin new things. This is true for disciples of Jesus. What I have repeatedly noted, however, is that most efforts to make life changes- an ending or a beginning – are poorly weighed and planned. I was among this ill-equipped group and found it incredibly frustrating, And so, I developed a set of principles regarding the process behind any significant life change whether it be in the winter, spring, summer or fall. I hope these principles will be of help to you.
Practice #1 – Pray about the trajectory of your life and ask God that it be in alignment with His will.
This seems like a no-brainer for a disciple of Jesus, and yet, it all too often plays a minor role; an after-thought. The reality is that the most powerful ‘tool’ for life change – either ending something or beginning something – is done upon one’s knees. Remember Daniel and the lion’s den or Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, when it was death or life, an end or a beginning, they prayed, seeking to be at the centre of God’s will. Unfortunately, it is not common for disciples to commit their significant life change decisions under God’s ‘microscope’ beforehand; usually, there is only a request for His blessing. I believe the counsel of James is paramount: “…you ought to say ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that'” (James 4:15 NIV).
Practice #2 – Draft a clear, realistic, achievable and informed goal.
This past fall, my wife and I took a road trip to celebrate my 60th birthday. We wanted to drive to several sites in the USA. After several days of deliberation, we pulled out a map and halted our travel, noting what we wanted to see, where we wanted to stay, and how much it would cost. Yes, we did leave lots of room for adventure and unplanned detours. I might be 60, but I’m still spontaneous! All this to say, if you are wanting to end something significant or begin something important, have a clear, relevant and informed goal. Some might find the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting resource helpful (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound).
Practice #3 – Be real about your circumstances and the degree of commitment needed to make a specific life change.
Self-awareness is crucial for making significant life changes. Understanding your history, past decisions and your present process of engaging life, is absolutely foundational for putting in place any course correction. You need to be brutally honest with yourself here; no rationalizing away either the trouble or the opportunity staring you in the face. Furthermore, weighing your capacity to ‘stick-it-out’ until the end – your commitment to the changes – is a must for any chance of success. In short, if you don’t have ‘gas-in-the-tank’ for the changes you want to see happen, you need to rethink your approach, enlist more help from the Holy Spirit and trusted others in order to bridge the resolve gap.
Practice #4 – Seek honest insight and forthright constructive counsel from trusted others.
Scripture reminds us that “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 5:22 NIV). It is simply wise to seek the counsel of mature and capable trusted others to speak to your desire to end something or begin something. Such counselors will no doubt know much about you and the path you are planning to travel, both will serve to be of helpful benefit.
Practice #5 – Remind yourself that, in and of itself, the JOURNEY of ending and beginning something is incredibly important and transformative.
Tennis star Arthur Ash once said, “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” American Rock climber Yvon Chouinard stated, “How you climb a mountain is more important than reaching the top.” I have discovered much wisdom in these words as I contemplated and then implemented my own significant life changes. There is so much to learn in the process of ending or beginning something – the journey – and so, be mindful in that space.
Practice #6 – Strive for micro changes and small victories.
I am convinced that part of the reason so many people experience failed New Year’s resolutions is because they bite off more than they could or should ‘chew.’ It is much better to make small (micro) changes toward your goal than to jump in with both feet, make a big splash, but soon petter out. Attempting micro changes, and experiencing a victory in them, inspires one to take the next small step and the next one and so on. For example, the common wisdom on weight loss is not to reduce a huge amount of weight in a short period of time, but rather to make small progressive (micro) changes in your eating habits over an extended period. In other words, form a new lifestyle. Research has found such a tactic results in long-term weight loss and healthy weight maintenance.
Practice #7 – Prepare yourself for the possibility that an ending or a beginning may require significant courage and resolve.
It has been my experience that the significant life changes I have pursued – endings or beginnings – have all required a notable degree of courage and resolve and, to be honest, faith. It takes courage to end a relationship or a particular work. It takes courage to deal with an addiction or accept chemotherapy. It takes courage to leave one job and start another or end one career with no prospects for another. It takes resolve to stick with your decision to end or begin something. My father taught me that when you choose a path, never look back, look forward and boldly march on. And, if you have made the wrong decision, don’t worry, God will be able redeem it. Remember, you will at times fail along the path you choose, but view them as failing forward and not falling back.
For now, blessings on the ending or the beginning you have set your eyes upon. God is with you. God is for you.
“Sunsets are evidence that endings can be beautiful.” ~Common Maxim
“To make an end is to make a beginning.” ~Common Maxim