Nine-tenths determined?

 Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed. (Cavett Robert)

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say. I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. (Psalm 17:3-4)

Determination is good - without it, we might just wander this earth without a care in the world, but with very little to show for all the wandering in the end. Character is forged in the times we might not 'want' to do something, but 'choose' to do it anyway. Obedience is nine-tenths determination and one-tenth action. We must overcome the desire to just 'lollygag' through life and focus on what God desires for us. When our focus is determined, our actions are more likely to be less 'idle' or 'aimless'!

We anticipate the new year with some hope things will be different as we rip that last page from our last year's calendar, don't we? We determined to make it different, but right about now that determination is probably not as strong as it was ten days ago! Following God's commands is more than 'determination' and 'good planning'. It is willing oneself to act upon what we know to be right even when we desire something easier or less 'focused'. If obedience is nine-tenths determination, we may want to look at what we allow to form our determination - it could be we are listening to a stranger's voice and not the still, small voice of God's Spirit within!

Cavett also said, "Any person who selects a goal in life which can be fully achieved, has already defined his own limitations." God doesn't ask for lofty goals, but he does ask for those that will stretch us just a bit beyond our present comfort zone. If your goals for this new year don't stretch you a bit, you are likely aiming at what you already know you can achieve, and you won't need his help to do it! The one that stretches us a bit outside of our comfort zone will require not only his help, but our continual 'refocusing' of our priorities to see those goals met. Just sayin!