Coordinates: Looking in to the New Year!

As we jump in to a new year we tend to have ideas about who we want to be, what we want to do and where we want to go. Some of those are short term and some are long term but we are planning out our next steps for this year!

However, It's hard to map a journey to where you want to be if you don't know where you are at RIGHT NOW!

First, we need to be true to where we are actually at in life personally; emotionally, spiritually and  practically!

Then we can make a more realistic journey map to where we would like to be and to WHO we would like to become over this coming year.

So much of our life involves comparison... comparing ourselves to other people. Our looks, achievements, careers, homes, cars, bank accounts, maybe even our husband and kids ;) but really the only comparison that is correct and that should be allowable is that between ourselves today and ourselves yesterday. If WE are growing, changing, improving, becoming more in the likeness of Christ than we are progressing. Even if its baby steps!

We get so caught up trying to be like others or how we feel other people want us to be and so much of that is truly just superficial.

We are to be conforming to the image of Jesus! Less of me and more of Him!

If I can see that in my life and my progress is measurable  than it doesn't matter if I look like you or not.

If I am walking this thing out (even clumsily!) then I am walking in Truth and I am walking in a present personal reality which actually gives me a good shot at reaching my desired destination.

Can you imagine trying to use a maps app on your phone to direct you to a destination step by step but with no starting off point? Yet that's how we often approach our life.
To correctly travel through this year I need to put my starting off point in to the app... that requires an honest look at myself and my life so that I can understand my true coordinates.

When you're driving you have to always keep an eye on two things. 1. That you are in the correct position on the road (know exactly where you are) and 2. Watch a little ahead to where you want the car to go.

These viewpoints are critical in life also... so I am discovering.

Let's walk in our own reality truthfully and although we may be inspired by others -  in fact we should be inspired by others and called forward by good examples -  it is critical to only measure our progress against where we have come from ourselves and not against those we were inspired by! does that make sense?

The Recipe: Fixing our eyes on Jesus, being filled with and refined by His Word(the mirror), in an active relationship with the Holy Spirit, walking closely and openly with (even one or two) others who have the Holy Spirit who are trustworthy and are actively involved in your life(close up)  and last but not least having a good dose of honest personal perspective!

Jesus when talking to was it the pharisees? said if you clean the inside of the cup the outside gets clean also. It starts with me. It starts inside in the unseen.

Weighing ourselves in truth...  Open before Him... On course for our destination.

It might not always be easy but it is simple.

Happy New Year! I am excited for the next steps in my own journey and looking forward to cheering you on in yours.

Lisa :)
The Imperfect Sojourner


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