Asking WHY?

It’s the first full week of January, 2013 and if you’re like me, a few of those New Year’s resolutions already bit the dust.   It’s easy to set a goal, but a goal is nothing more than a good intention until we take action and turn it into reality.  For me, the fuel that helps me “press on to reach the goal,” boils down to the reason WHY I want to reach the goal at all.  With an inspiring WHY behind my resolutions, I’ll achieve them more often than not.  Without one, I often set myself up for failure.  

Years ago, a friend shared his WHY as it related to his healthy eating choices and disciplined exercise routine.  He’d watched parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents on both sides of his family struggle with and finally succumb to heart disease at very young ages.  Our friend’s motivation was to someday see his future children grow up and to live long enough to be part of their lives.  That’s an extremely motivating WHY, wouldn’t you say? 

When he desired a slice of cheesecake, instead of thinking of the enjoyable taste, he thought of his unborn children and found the self-control to resist the temptation.  After a late night when he might prefer to sleep in he imagined future high school graduations and weddings, which motivated him to get out of bed and head to the gym.  His WHY kept him moving in the right direction because his WHY was much larger than the daily temptations which could cause him to fail. 

Throughout his writings, the Apostle Paul provided many examples of having a strong WHY in pursuing a life worthy of his calling.   As he taught and encouraged fellow believers, he used the term “so that” over 200 times in his writings and often used  terms like, “because”, “ therefore”, and “for this reason.”   Not only did Paul know his WHY, but he shared it often and kept it in the forefront of his teachings.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, it continues to keep believers inspired and moving toward action 2000 years later.

The first week of the New Year is a great time to get out those resolutions (I hope you wrote them down) and ask yourself WHY you would like to accomplish each of them.  What’s you’re driving force?  What keeps you motivated?  Allow your WHY to help you “press on toward the goal” and turn those intentions into realities!

“But one thing I do: 

forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 

I press on toward the goal

for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. “  

Philippians 3:13b-14 (NASB)

“For I am confident of this very thing, 

that He who began a good work in you 

will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  

Philippians 1:6

I'd love to hear the WHY behind some of the changes you'd like to make this year.  Please share them in the comments.  Chances are, you'll inspire us all!