Which Way Are You Going?

Thinking through a personal process recently forced me to ask some questions that might be uncomfortable. Something we have all done at some point in our past.

Where do I stand on ______? (Fill in the blank)

Why am I where I currently stand? Where was I going? How did I get to this point? Where do I stand? Where do I want to stand? What’s my next step? If I need to change my stance, what is the first thing I need to do? Next? Then, next? Am I happy with the new viewpoint, or do I still need to make adjustments?

In other words, it times to use some questions and phrases that I am very comfortable with. It’s time to take stock of where I am. Pull out the analysis tools of pen and paper, and get busy documenting, considering, and documenting a path forward. It’s all about getting change happening!

This event will require deep contemplation, a reality check, thinking it through to action, and planning a path forward.

Personal Accountability. Status Check. 

Here’s the reality. I am accountable. Personally. To myself, God, my local church, and especially to my family.  I have a number of irons in the fire that are challenging me to the next level of life, living and being; voices that are keeping my feet to the fire and my focus forward.

It is true that there are important things missing in my life, and I am fully aware of them, all the while scanning the horizon for solutions. Sometimes these solutions are simply holes that need to be molded closed, while some are additions that need to be added, questions to be answered, and decisions to be made.

The one thing I note is that my Status Check does not require major decisions every time! Most are simply common sense adjustments to what I already do. When you see what they are, then you know you can easily change them from slightly negative to a slightly positive. Most of these changes are a minuscule shift of the rudder of my life.

Rudders!

Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.  (James 3:4 NKJV)

This has been digging deep into my thinking. I’ve often said that, “God is my pilot and I’m simply the co-pilot.” However, the reality is that I’m completely in charge of my direction, the ship I sail, and the rudder that microscopically points me one way or the other. I’ve posted several times about this:

1 degree of rudder shift = huge difference 12 hours later.

~Me….

What are you accepting/doing now that will have huge penalties/rewards tomorrow? A microscopic change will not be noticed immediately but will show huge changes later on. It’s like being on a diet. Cut out a single item and you will not notice it today, but wait 30 days and see what it has done for you!

The same goes with creating a habit, exercising, reading your bible, having a morning devotion, or expressing love and appreciation to someone special.

Sailing ships used a combination of rudder and rigging to amend their direction, hence arrive at the desired destination. Powered ships can more easily adjust their direction when underway, but they have computers to automate the adjustment. Easy to be exact, wouldn’t you say?

A minor adjustment today is not immediately seen, but look down the road a day, week, or year… Well. Consider this. If you want to, or need to, make a major change, do you know how to do this successfully?

One Degree at a time.

Small shifts in direction, one degree at a time, will eventually get you to your destination without major changes that could overwhelm you. It’s analogous to something Benjamin Franklin said: Watch the pennies and the dollars take care of themselves.

Maybe you do need a major shift. Try to be successful by taking the small adjustments to get to that place.

Think this through. A rudder works against the current to turn the nose of the ship the direction you want. I’ve learned this lesson well. To make a change, I have to go against the pressure of the flow and force myself into the new direction. It’s not easy being a rudder!

Be responsible. Take Action. Do the right thing.

“Everyone thinks of changing the world,
but no one thinks of changing himself.” 
― Leo Tolstoy