New year, new experiment – so to speak. “Blog on 3” is going to be my way of holding myself accountable to write more often. So on the 3rd, 13th, and 23rd of each month, I’ll post a new blog. We’ll see how long this lasts, but I hope that you follow this blog (not the Facebook or Twitter account that might have shared them) and look forward to those dates each month.
The Genesis
Other than eternal God, everything has to have a start. Our family has begun a Bible reading plan that, of course, starts out with Creation. The first part of Genesis maps out how God formed the Earth and everything in it, including man and woman.
Think about the first time you did something that became a favorite activity or hobby. I was too young to remember the first time I put on a baseball glove or even pitched in a game for the first time. Those probably provided an immediate rush of adrenaline and joy.
I do remember the first time, as an adult, I decided to go for a run. It’s easy to forego exercise if your job doesn’t allow the time or means by which to stay in shape, so I wanted to be intentional and not just weigh 500 pounds one day. And, while I don’t mind cleaning up my diet to some extent, the answer is not just to eat leaves and chug water for the rest of my days.
That first run felt like a bad idea.
I had not gotten terribly out of shape, but was not ready for a two-mile jog. I didn’t make it through without stopping to walk (multiple times). My time was terrible (over 12 minutes per mile!). And I felt my knees and ankles crying out in judgment and in opposition.
Had I stopped there, I would look back on running and describe in detail how awful my experience was.
Fast forward six months later that year and my time was much better (my record is around 26 minutes for a 5K – which I consider fast, thank you very much). My knees, feet, and ankles only yelled when I pushed too far or ran too many days in a row. I ran for personal growth – both staying in shape and diving into a podcast or audio book. I ran for enjoyment (I even joined Jaclyn on a 7-mile run because she wanted to). It had become something that brought both joy and fulfillment.
(By the way, I would be starting back at square one if I decided to run right now. In fact, 12 minutes might be a miracle.)
So what is it in 2022 that you say you’re going to do? Are you going to get in shape? Eat healthier? Spend more time away from work and more time with family? Pray more? Read your Bible more often? Pick up a new hobby – or just improve at one you already have?
Whatever it is, let me offer something you might do first. Be prepared to do it.
Instead of allowing the calendar to dictate a head-first dive into something, stop and prepare for the time/day/etc.
In Joshua 3:5, it says, Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.”
Consecrate just means to make something so important that you set it aside for a purpose. In scripture, it refers to making something sacred or holy.
In your life, set yourself up for success. Mentally, physically, and spiritually prepare to accomplish something for a purpose.
To do anything in life, there are three steps:
- Determine what it is you want (or want to do)
- Find out what it costs
- Decide if you are willing to pay it
I hope that I am faithful in writing “Blog on 3.” But, reminding myself to be consecrated for the task is truly the Genesis.
Genesis 1:31: God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. . .
Scottish Invasion 