This is long, long overdue, but welcome to 2011. This is the year where you leave all the drama and craziness from last year in the past. Take the lessons learned from last year, apply them, and keep it moving. This should be a year of realizing your true potential in God and having a Jesus-like swagger about it.
The fact of the matter is, that we have to set a higher standard for ourselves. Where that begins, is knowing who and whose we are. In Isaiah 41: 9-10, God tells us that we are his. In verse 9, He says, "...For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. (10) Don't be afraid, for I am with you.....I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Now this couldn't be more clear cut and to the point. God chose us before we were even a twinkle in our parents eyes. Within His intricate plan for our lives, He called us to be victorious even in the midst of trial or tribulation. So why shouldn't we set a higher standard for ourselves and know that even before the trial, we are victorious. Not victorious based on our own strength or works, but based on His grace, mercy, and plan for our lives. God says in Jeremiah 29: 11, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
So really, the underlying question would be, what standard are we setting for ourselves? Are we just going through the motions? Are we just half-stepping it or procrastinating? Are we living life victoriously, which is what we are called to do? Now, living victoriously is not simply about whether you win in every aspect of life. Living life victoriously means that you are living with an attitude that no matter what happens, you know you will soon be the victor and not the victim.
By having this attitude and knowing that God has chosen us for something special, we are already setting the beginning parts of a higher standard. So I would like to end this post with a couple questions. Are you satisfied with living by mediocre self-standards or are you ready to set a higher standard and live victoriously?
I hope this post has been a blessing to you. Come back again for "Setting a Higher Standard Part 2." God bless.
