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Mark Batterson, in The Circle-Maker, a fascinating book on a prayer, praises “defining decisions,” that set the course of your life, sort of like choosing whether you drive to Slovenia (which our family did last summer), or to Scotland (which we might do this summer).
I made three defining decisions in my twenties. Chronologically: I decided to become a writer. I decided to follow Jesus. And I decided to take a marriage vow to love.
Yeah, well…
I have failed in all of these, continually. There have been days, weeks, months, and years, in which I have not written at all. I sometimes think of my beloved Jesus sadly: how imperfectly I imitate him. And marriage, well.
Yet, oddly, I’ve not failed in any of these, because I am still on the road. I am writing, albeit less than I would like to. I am still following after Jesus, albeit imperfectly. I am still married, more or less happily.
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Oh, it is this season again, this season of resolutions. And I will probably make some.
But what I am more interested in are defining decisions, North Stars, compass points, things I will continue to do even if I sometimes go off course. Things that I will continue doing, even if I fall. Not resolutions I make year after year like Yom Kippur sacrifices, but a once-and-for-all decision I will follow, though I may wobble, and fail some days, some weeks…
Here are a few of my defining decisions, which I return to again and again. These are to do with health
1 I will walk 10,000 steps a day.
2 I will avoid sugar
3 I will avoid white flour (using bread, pasta and noodles as a treat, rather than as food).
4 I will begin reading myself to sleep at 10 p.m.
5 I will do some yoga every day (a habit I am struggling to adopt).
These are habits which are not yet second nature. There are other habits which are second nature, though again I fail some days, some weeks, some months….
I will read or listen to my Bible.
I will read.
I will write at least a little.
I will keep the rooms in which I work and sleep tidy.
I will garden.
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How about you? Instead of a resolution, different every year, why not try a defining decision which you will return to, despite falls and wobbles, as we continue trying to follow Jesus, though like Peter, we might forget him, deny him, and yearn to go on a break.
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Rather than resolutions, I choose a word each year. it gives me something to hang my hat on–a vision to hold onto. And there is no guilt when I fall short. I simply start again the next day, keeping my word in mind:). Great post.
I like that too. My word is “health” though I haven’t yet blogged about it!
Thanks Anita, I ordered some Mrs Dash on Sunday and it arrived Tuesday morning! It is a tasty alternative and I hope that after a couple of months my b.p. will have
dropped to a normal level. And like you, I have decided to give my car a rest and walk to the shops. Thanks for getting off your backside and sharing it with us. Paul
Glad you liked it. I enjoy cooking with herbs too, which makes food far more flavourful. Blessings for a good day, Paul!
I like the idea of defining decisions rather than New Year resolutions. Mine are similar in a way
1 Give up on salt as I have high blood pressure.
2 Only open a bottle of wine at the weekend, ie from Friday dusk!
3 Go for a walk with my wife on Sunday afternoons, if possible. We get to talk together.
4 When God gives me something to say in a sermon, say it as it is and don’t read it.
5 Remember that when I pray to God, many others around the world are doing just the same.
So today I managed to preach about John the Baptist, (twice) and without notes, took a 3 hour walk in the Yorkshire Wolds with my wife, didn’t put any salt on my boiled egg at breakfast and am now going to open a bottle of wine to have with our Sunday dinner whilst listening to A Prairie Home Companion on the Internet. Bliss.
Bliss indeed! Especially the 3 hour walk! What a wonderful Sunday!
I have a terribly salty tooth, so try pepper instead of salt, and herbs. Have you heard of “Mrs Dash” a salt alternative with herbs? Cheese works too, but it’s salty.