As we transition from one year to a new one, nothing magically changes. But if you do want things to change you will need a plan and the courage to do it.

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." - Anonymous

"A dream without a plan, is just a daydream." - Anonymous

"Vision without execution is hallucination." - Thomas Edison

"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare." - Japanese Proverb

"A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at." - Bruce Lee

"Where there is no vision, there is no hope." - George Washington Carver

Alice: “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
Rabbit: "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to."
Alice: "I don't much care where –"
Rabbit: "Then it doesn't matter which way you go.”
- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

"Dreams are extremely important. You can't do it unless you can imagine it." - George Lucas

"If I don't see it, no one else ever will." - Chad Waller

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be? What are you doing about it?

To simply desire something to change, will not change anything. To want for something, or to wish something would happen is not enough. Ecclesiastes 5:3 says that a dream comes to pass through the abundance of effort. Dreams rarely, if ever, just come true without someone putting some time and effort into bringing it to pass. So if you want something to be different, what are you doing about it?

As we start the new year, many people will make resolutions to change things or do things differently, but if you don't have a plan, a vision, or a goal, you are just wishing things would change.

People will often declare how great the coming year is going to be and say things about how glad they are for the past year to be done. But didn’t they do the same thing last year? Or did you actually declare it to be a mediocre year riddled with problems and troubles? I think we can safely say, to expect a new year to be any different without us making different choices is quite ludicrous. In order for things to change you have to change things.

Practical Ideas

1. Write the goal down.
It isn't real to me until I have written it down and made it plain. Habakuk says to write the goal and make it plain.

2. Set small steps to achieving the goal.
Without beginning somewhere you are guaranteed to get nowhere. What must be done first in order to accomplish your goal?

3. Work toward the goal.
Remember a goal gives you something to aim at. Don't grow weary in the process of the journey.

We must not grow weary while on the journey toward our goals. If we do not give up, we will reap the benefits of our work. If we are doing good and working hard toward a goal, we can expect weariness, discouragement, and what I call "predictable resistance" to come against us. But remember, without resistance we don't build muscles! The enemy seeks to impede your forward progress. Allow his resistance to simply build your strength. Don't give up or give in to his lies. Keep your eyes on the prize!

Focus for a moment on the second part of this scripture. "But when you follow the revelation of the Word..." I believe this is a very key part. The Word of God, Jesus the image of the I Am, is at work in us. He is revealing to us the Father's plan. As we commune with Him, the will and purpose of God for our lives become more clear. God has prepared good works for us to do. He has a purpose for each of us. Doing His will causes Heaven's bliss to fill our souls!

When we follow the revelation of the Word, as it unfolds in our lives, the bliss of heaven fills our souls!

Do you want the bliss of heaven to fill your soul? Then listen to the Word and follow what Holy Spirit reveals to you and the coming year will be filled with bliss, even in the hard times.