It’s time to get up and do something hard.

I mean it. You need to exercise the GOD-given potential placed inside of you to do that really hard thing that you’ve been dreading.  Now, let me tell you what I don’t mean and then explain in some detail what I do mean.

I don’t mean making a resolution.

For those of you that already have made a resolution, don’t worry I’m not raining on your parade (maybe, sorta). Let’s face it and be honest, most of our “New Year’s Resolutions” are exercises in futility because we never truly set out to accomplish anything worthwhile in our efforts. Some of you want to get fit, lose weight, procrastinate less, love more, spender more wisely, save a marriage or another relationship, and the list goes on. Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying, these things are worth doing.  But our plans and goals and dreams of success are often sabotaged by our own inability to set a God-given purpose to the potential that lies within us. Focus is key. I see people who make a “New Year, New Me” goal to lose 10 pounds. They purchase a gym membership, treadmill, running shoes, blender bottle, protein powder, and a new set of earbuds to jam while running. Here’s the problem. While they set forth in motion a pattern for success, they didn’t change anything on the inside themselves in order to succeed.

A transformation must occur!

Read what Paul tells Roman believers in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Notice what Paul says! He tells us that our mind must be renewed. This not only means that we have to focus our attention and purpose our minds to accomplish our God-given purpose, but we are called to devote all of our being whom God made to do what He wants us to do. He has empowered the believer when He gave us His Holy Spirit. He placed Himself inside of us and He wants us to do something about it.

So here is the hard part. It could be that you have to abandon your dreams, aspirations, goals, ambitions, and desires for His calling on your life. It could be that what you want is only part of His greater purpose for your life. While I know that He gives you the desires of your heart, this only comes when you have delighted yourself in Him (Psalm 37:4-5). In other words, God wants you to be so in love with Him and wrapped up in His presence that your dreams are His dreams and your plans are His plans. Part of transformation is surrender. Waving the white flag for the grace, mercy, truth, hope, and joy of Christ to overtake your soul.

So where does the “New” come from?

^“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” -2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus brings the newness. How do I transform my life? How do I do big things with my life? Give up and let Jesus do it for you! Allow Him to lead your steps in His path for your journey. Trust in Christ’s grace and have faith in Jesus’ Truth. Know that you can have joy in the mercy and hope that awaits you on the other side of the start line of your journey to doing difficult things.

I’m going to leave you with a proud dad moment.

A few months ago, Christina (my gorgeous wife) and I took our 3 sons (along with Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents) to their home away from home; the zoo. My wife and I love to listen as they run from animal to animal exhibit to share with everyone all that they know about the Lemurs, Bear, Lions, and Parrots. My oldest has always wanted to climb the rock wall, but his waiste has always been way too small to fit in the harness (imagine that!). This time, amidst the “Daddy Please!” begging, we found that he was finally big enough to climb the rock wall. Immediately a pit and funny feeling began to grow in my gut. “What if he fell, got hurt, or failed!?” But my tough-guy exterior won over my inner-wimp and he darted to the carabiner hook to begin his ascent. As the young girl (ever so patient she was) strapped him to the repelling rope, he flapped and jumped and giggled with excitement. (You see, he has autism and he gets to love life a little more that some of us get to.)  He was finally strapped in and off he went! He began climbing and soon learned that it was too hard. Two feet off the ground, my six year old couldn’t figure out what to do. Too scared to go up and unsure about letting the repelling rope do its job, he was frozen! His awesome uncle, amazing Papa, and I tried to coach him, but there he was between a synthetic rock and a hard place (dad jokes for days!).

I had an Idea! I asked the young lady if I could strap in and help, and she obliged! (this is a big deal because it had been years and dozens of pounds since I’d strapped in!) I got right beside my son, and along with me and his cool uncle, we began to climb. I set the pace and showed him what to do and my brother-in-law coached and pushed from the bottom. Slowly but surely, my son began to climb higher. He didn’t make it to the top, but the sense of accomplishment and joy that birthed the ear-wide smile on that little boys face will forever be etched into this Daddy’s mind.

God (the perfect Daddy) looks at me and you the same way! He wants to take us higher than we’ve ever gone. We just have to strap in and climb with Him, placing our hands and feet in the same footholds He has shown us. Where does the cool uncle fit in? I’m so glad we were both thinking that! He is the rest of us. Cheering you on, encouraging you, pushing you, believing in the you that God made.

Surrender to Christ’s transformational power. Follow His footsteps to greater heights. Trust His path for your journey. Encourage others. Do something hard.