How did I get here?

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How did I get here?  This is a question I sometimes wonder.  It seems like one day I was doing one thing and then the next I’m doing something completely different.  I think my recent move has heightened this sense of disorientation for me lately.  The answer to the question is quite simple though.  I took action.  That’s how I got from there to here.  Taking action puts things in motion so that we are moved from one place to another.  So if I want to change or be in a different place I need to take action. 

Taking action requires four things: 1) a goal, 2) the steps it will take to achieve that goal, 3) a realistic and measurable plan to implement those steps, and 4) ongoing encouragement and accountability.  Let’s take my recent change of circumstances as an example.  The big goal that set things in motion was the goal of earning a PhD.  The steps that it took and will take to complete that goal look something like this:

  1. Finish MDiv degree.  (Done)

  2. Apply for PhD program (Done)

  3. Move to new school location (Half-done)

  4. Register for courses (Done for this semester)

  5. Complete course requirements (Beginning to work on this)

  6. Complete and pass comprehensive exams

  7. Complete dissertation

  8. Defend dissertation

  9. Graduate

 In order to complete each step towards that goal I need a measurable and realistic plan to complete that step.  This is where having a course schedule, a daily to-do list and deadlines comes in as I work towards finishing step five, completing course requirements.  And throughout the entire process the support of friends and family has kept the momentum going.  Without this key ingredient I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.  By setting a goal, identifying the steps to achieve that goal, having a measurable and realistic plan to implement those steps, and relying on the encouragement and accountability of friends I have moved from where I was to where I am now. 

The same strategy is effective for Bible study.  Since the goal of Bible study is to put timeless truths into action we can use these same five elements to move from where we are today to the transformed child of God we are meant to be.  Consider the following example.  Take the timeless truth in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray constantly.”  In an effort to put this timeless truth into action, I’ve set a goal to practice prayer more consistently.  In order to actually fulfill this goal, I need to identify the steps that it will take to reach it and the plan I’ll use to implement each step.  Here’s what it might look like:

  1. Incorporate more prayer into my quiet time.

    • Set my alarm 15 minutes earlier so that I have extra time for prayer in the morning.

    • Choose a prayer topic to focus on.

    • Write out my prayers in a journal.

  2. Find one other time in the day to spend in prayer.

    • Set my phone alarm for 3:30pm to remind me to pause and pray.

    • Have a verse from the morning Bible reading ready to use in prayer.

  3. Read an inspirational book on prayer to learn more about prayer.

    • Choose a book to read

    • Read for 30 minutes before going to bed.

  4. Try different methods of praying.

    • Identify different methods of praying that I’d like to try.

    • Choose a time to try one.

These are just some ideas.  If it is too much I can always cut back as long as I keep taking small steps toward change.  The reality is, however, that there’s no way I could do this without the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me or the encouragement and accountability of Christian community.  We need God’s power and the support of his people. 

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Transformation requires action and in order to take action we need to have a goal, identify the steps to reaching that goal, have a measurable and realistic plan for implementing those steps, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement and accountability of family and friends.  If we do this, then one day when we look back and see how far we’ve come we won’t wonder, “How did I get here?”  We’ll know.  We got here by taking action