5 Steps to Clarity
“Why are you making us do this?” complained my seven-year-old daughter.
“You need to think about your life and where you are headed. That’s why,” I answered.
“Charlie, they’re babies. This isn’t something they should be doing at their age,” Kathy said.
“Now is as good a time to start as any. What’s wrong with them writing down what they want to accomplish next year. I’m doing it, and it is good for them to do it,” I insisted.
“They are seven and five years old. That’s why!” she exclaimed loudly.
As I look back on this annual ritual, Kathy was right. I was a little over the top. As the girls got a bit older, they pushed back enough that I dropped it. I never did make my boys, their younger siblings, do it.
I had my years when I couldn’t wait to write down my resolutions for the next year. Most years I did it whether I was excited or not. It was my ritual, and I honored it.
Let’s work together on this. Write down your questions. Questions you will take to the Lord for answers. The questions, which when answered, give clarity to your life and relationship with God.
Write down your life questions. Don’t stop writing until you run out of questions. No list of questions is too big for God.
Pray. Go to a quiet place, and ask God to answer your questions.
Write down the answers God gives you. After you ask God for the answer, take out your pen and paper and start writing. God will make your hand move, and you will be amazed at what appears on the page.
Share. Share the questions and answers with your spouse or a close and supportive friend. Take in this feedback and begin formulating your resolutions.
Write down what you resolve to do. Each one should answer these four questions.
What do you resolve to do?
Why do you want to do it?
What will you say “no” to?
What will be the result?