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New Year’s R & R
“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:19-23
There are many things I carry with me every day from my football playing career. Some are not so glamourous—like surgical scars on both my knees and dealing with more aches and pains than I should at my age. Some I wouldn’t trade for the world—like friendships cultivated with teammates and fond memories of practices, games, and our collective achievements.
But as 2014 comes to a close and 2015 begins anew, I now realize there is a habit I built as an athlete that continues to serve me well year after year:
R & R
No, I’m not talking about New Year’s Day rest and relaxation in front of a television filled with college football bowl mania and a plate filled with tailgate food. (Although I strongly recommend this habit!) I’m talking about a habit that has the ability to serve us well everyday—New Year’s Day and beyond.
R & R – Reflect and respond.
Having played quarterback, I got pretty polished at the healthy habit of R & R. Football is a humbling game. There are many moving parts and pieces every play—and there is always something that can be done better. When you win, you never play as well as you think you did. When you lose, you never play as poorly as you think you did.
After every single game comes in-depth film study. Reflection. What did we do well? What must we improve upon? How did we perform in certain situations? Did we get better on what we chose to focus on this week? Do we need to change our personnel or approach next week?
Then comes the game plan for the next game. Respond. What do we need to focus on to win this week? What does the opponent do well? What do they struggle with? How can we exploit their weaknesses? What adjustments will we make to put us in the best position to succeed?
While the end of each game is a finish line, it’s also a starting line. Each game is a chance for R & R – the chance to reflect on opportunities to get better and then the ability to respond and make good on the desired improvements.
And that’s exactly the opportunity we’re given at the turn of each new year. A new year is a finish line. And a starting line.
As we flip the calendar page from December to January, we would be wise to spend time observing the writer of the Old Testament book of Lamentations live out the habit of R & R. As he ponders the evil, pain, and suffering that Jerusalem has suffered at the hands of Babylon, he also looks ahead, out of destruction, to a brighter day of hope that is rooted in God’s faithfulness.
The author reflects on the difficulty he’s seen in his community and honestly shares his heart. The text says he remembers his “affliction”, “wandering”, “bitterness”, and “gall.” He vulnerably admits his “soul is downcast” and his heart aches for a better future.
But then he crosses the finish line of reflecting on his pain and approaches a new starting line. He chooses to respond in hope—a hope that can only come from our Heavenly Father. His response is filled with praise to God: “…his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
As we enter the new year before us, let’s all follow the example of Lamentations 3 and take some time for a little R & R:
Reflect
Set aside some time for quiet reflection on the year that’s passed. What were the highlights? What was exciting? What did you accomplish? What did you do to serve others? How did God display his faithfulness in your life? What were the lowlights? What did you struggle with? What was disappointing? Where did you fail? What caused you grief? As you process last year, simply write down three things you desire to change or approve upon in the year ahead. (If you need a kick-start, Dr. Tim Elmore has some great suggestions to help you reflect on last year.)
Respond
As you review the three things you desire to change in 2015, spend time seeking God in prayer. How can you better align your life with his character In the year ahead? Review the three changes you just listed and, next to them, list your response to your reflection—the three things you are fully committed to accomplishing in 2015. Place or post your response list somewhere visible—on your mirror, in your wallet, on your desk, in your car—where you’ll see it as a daily reminder of your commitment for the year ahead.
This new year is both a finish line and a starting line. It’s the perfect chance for some R & R—an opportunity to reflect on the year that’s passed and the ability to respond to make the year ahead our best yet! May all we do this year be done in service to God, for the betterment of others!
IT’S YOUR TURN: Add your comments! What have you dedicated yourself to accomplishing in 2015?
Preparation
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7
For my wife and me, this year’s Christmas season has deeper meaning than ever before. We are expecting our first child in June. As we open our Bibles and read of the fear and stress, but also the courage and obedience of Jesus’ young, earthly parents—Mary and Joseph—we can’t help but reflect on our own life’s circumstance.
We are in a season of preparation.
We’ve moved my office and all its belongings down into the basement to make room for what will be baby’s new nursery. We’ve got a stroller in our living room waiting for its new occupant. There are suddenly onesie pajamas all over our house. We’re signed up for all our prenatal parenting classes. We’re reading books, making lists, and crunching budget numbers. We are ensuring everything is ready for this child we will treasure, teach, train and, many years from now, turn loose to live for Jesus in our fallen world.
We are in a season of preparation.
But preparation isn’t just for expecting parents like us. Truth be told, we are all in preparation mode, all the time.
If we closely examine our day-to-day living, we’ll find we are all preparing for something every single day. We are all hoping for something, looking forward to something, putting our faith in something, living for something. We just may not realize it.
Every choice we make says a lot about what we are preparing for. Every event on our calendar says a lot about what we are living for. Every conversation we have—or don’t have—says a lot about what we are hoping for.
If we step back and honestly reflect on our daily thoughts, words, and actions, and what they indicate we are preparing for—I think we’ll find most of our preparation tends to be:
Self-Serving
Our willingness to sacrifice for others, put in long hours, or go the extra mile is secretly rooted in a self-centered motive—preparing for the next promotion, recognition, achievement or bonus. We will do whatever it takes…as long as it benefits us!
Short-Lived
Our minds are constantly filled with the thought, “If I can just get __________, then everything will be okay.” Then the long awaited day comes—after all our preparation, planning, and pursuit, we finally get ___________— only to find ourselves unsatisfied and on to preparing for the next thing. The prize is short-lived, fleeting, and doesn’t fulfill our deepest desires.
Substandard
Even our most well intentioned plans of preparation fall short and miss the mark. Circumstances beyond our control change, our plans fail, we make mistakes. Even our best preparation is imperfect.
The decisions we make and actions we take each day are all preparing us for something. What are we preparing for?
Rest assured, we can correct the course of our preparation—and what better time to do it than in this sacred Christmas season? The prophet Isaiah implores us to prepare—not for things that are self-serving, short-lived, and substandard—but simply, for a child. To prepare for Jesus Christ—the son of God. The Savior of the world. To get ready for the one who is:
Praiseworthy
The coming Christ child is the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” He was meek enough for a manger, but mighty enough to save mankind. He is worthy of our love and praise.
Permanent
This Holy infant is eternally in control of everything in all creation. “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” He rules the world, and all that is in it, with loving wisdom and faultless authority. Forever.
Perfect
The reason for the Christmas season, Jesus, has built his Kingdom—in heaven and in willing human hearts—and he is “establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness.” Our unknown future is secure in a known God who loves us dearly and is perfect in every way.
It’s been a busy year. We’ve all been preparing for many things. This Christmas season, let’s slow down and set aside the things we’ve been pursuing that are self-serving, short-lived, and substandard. Let’s cast them down and prepare our hearts to receive a child—Jesus—born that we may have hope, love, and life. Let’s get ready for this praiseworthy, permanent, perfect king! He alone deserves our full preparation!
IT’S YOUR TURN: Add your comments! What are some of the ways you and your family prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus each Christmas?
Strive: The Book
In Strive, former collegiate and NFL quarterback Tim Hiller leads you on a year-long journey, taking small steps each week on the path to making your life matter, developing into the person God designed you to be.
Our lives are short. Together, let’s pursue what matters.
Speaking
From his platform as a champion, Tim has a natural gift for connecting with a wide range of audiences—from schools, youth groups, and churches, to student-athletes and business leaders. Submit a speaking request to invite Tim to inspire your group, team, or organization.
Next Level Performance
Co-founded by Tim Hiller, Next Level Performance develops the total athlete through elite sports performance training, club teams, and Beyond The Game™ Conferences. NLP’s proprietary leadership development process helps student-athletes succeed, both now and in the future.