As we find ourselves in the heart of summer, it's the perfect moment to pause and reflect on what we have been able to accomplish so far this year. Many of us make New Year’s resolutions that sometimes stick and other times, well, not so much. The mid-year point is a great time to be honest with ourselves as we assess our progress. Sometimes we can celebrate our achievements and other times we need to double down our efforts or recalibrate our goals.
This period of reflection, often referred to as the mid-year mindset, invites us to consider whether we have accomplished what we set out to do and to cultivate a "second-set mentality" which is a fresh determination to utilize the back half of the year to continue to work towards our goals. In the busyness of summer and life in general, it's easy to lose sight of our spiritual and personal goals. However, the Bible encourages us to take stock of our progress and make necessary adjustments. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, "In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." This verse highlights the importance of aligning our plans with God's guidance. As we reflect on this year’s accomplishments, let's seek His wisdom to discern whether we are on the right path and how we can realign our actions with His will.
The mid-year mindset is not only about evaluating our successes and failures but also about embracing the grace that God offers us for a fresh start. Philippians 3:13-14 speaks to this beautifully: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." This passage encourages us to let go of past shortcomings and focus on the opportunities that lie ahead. It's a call to adopt a second-set mentality, recognizing that there is still time to achieve our goals and fulfill our God-given potential.
You may ask, what are some practical steps that can help us utilize this mid-year and mid-summer mindset? One way is to take time to pray and seek God's direction. In quiet reflection, we can ask for His guidance on the areas of our lives that need attention and renewal. Another way is to set realistic and measurable goals for the remainder of the year that can provide us with a clear roadmap to success. By breaking down our aspirations into smaller chewable or manageable chunks, we can steadily work towards achieving them.
It is important to stay connected with our faith community. We all know that an isolated Christian is a paralyzed Christian. Sharing our goals and struggles with our reunion brothers or sisters can provide us with the support and accountability we need. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but encouraging one another." If you haven’t attended an Ultreya recently, perhaps engaging with community can be refreshing.
The mid-year and mid-summer mindsets offer us a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and recommit to our goals. By seeking God's guidance and embracing a second-set mentality, we can take practical steps toward achieving our goals. The mornings have been a bit cooler lately which sadly is a reminder of what is to follow. I hope we all make the most of the time we have left this summer and year.
GLY&SDI,
Jeff Walk