DISCIPLINE. I find accountability and growth comes far easier when I am organized and on top of things. I anticipate my schedule by looking ahead, I keep lists of people and situations I am praying for so that I can refer to them and not be wayward or flaky in my intercession. I do not compartmentalize, but rather exercise consistency in all areas of my life. I set up goals and expectations according to what God shows me in His Word, but maintain a flexibility to be, do, and go what- or wherever He may call me.

REFLECT. I meditate on God’s Word. I slow down: take a pause from life. I journal my prayers and thoughts on God and His Word, so that I do not fall prey to getting sucked into the Robot Realm of going through motions. I make and seek out conversation with others about our Maker, so that we might be mutually spurred and encouraged.

HUMILITY. I magnify God and minimize everything else. Especially me. I keep short accounts with God, being mindful of the sinner I am. Also, it is critical to remember that I have not-and will never-master ANYthing in this world and life. There is no cookie cutter situation in life; every person He calls me to minister to is unique. I return to God DAILY on my knees, looking to Him as my Sole Soul Provider.

CELEBRATE. I get so pumped about what God has done and Who He is-since the inception of time, on through eternity, as recorded in Scripture. And I get giddy to see that He shows Himself to ME, to be the SAME God that He has been and always will be. I share my salvation story with others. I spread His love with others. I ask others about what God has done in THEIR lives. I sing songs and dance for Him. I commune with Him in prayer. I recount His love story for me: how He plucked me from the burning fire I was frying and dying in. I give thanks and remember His faithfulness, and I use that as fuel in sharing my testimony with others. And this in turn GROWS my testimony and witness for Him that much MORE.

TELESCOPE, NOT MICROSCOPE. I zoom out so that I might have God’s perspective instead of my own. He gives me peace in this. I also laugh a whole bunch. Stepping back and taking on His perspective of the Big Picture yields peace, joy, wisdom, and confidence in who I am as His beloved daughter.

JUST A FEATHER…blowing in the wind of the Holy Spirit. I go wherever He carries me. And in Him, I maintain an aerodynamic that only He can sustain. ATAPAT. With a willing and joyful heart.

CONTENTMENT. Circumstances don’t matter. Eye On the Prize. As Pastor Mike recently taught: “Past the Cross, To the Crown”. Not living for the here and now, but rather, the There and Then.