As New Year approaches, this reflection by Jon Walker, struck me; I intend to make time to draw up a different kind of list!
"Imagine if God created you to be the Michelangelo of this age, but you stayed so busy doing all kinds of things — good things — that you never got around to painting and sculpting. You’d end up missing God’s plan and design for your life because you got distracted chasing lesser things.
What a disappointment it would be for God, you, and all the people who would have been blessed if you’d stayed focused on your original purpose!
Today, make a list of things not-to-do in 2012. Fill your list with things you do that don’t match God’s purpose for your life or things you think you have to do but haven’t been told to do by God.
Ask God to clarify the things he wants you to do this year, and then ruthlessly move everything else onto your list of things not-to-do.
Then, 'press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you' (Philippians 3:14)."
The schools have reopened, full work schedules have begun, and the leaves are displaying their glory before sinking to earth.
St Francis constantly said: "Let us begin again!"
The beginning of Autumn can be a moment to pause, review our lives with a gentle gaze and recognise what choices, what possibilities lie before us.
Sarah Ban Breathnach writes in Simple Abundance:
"It seems to me that January resolutions are about will; September resolutions are about authentic wants.... The beauty of autumnal resolutions is that no one else knows we're making them. Autumnal resolutions don't require singing, confetti and champagne. September resolutions ask only that we open to positive change."
As the year moves on, the days slip by, what positive change can I make?
