Go Beyond

Doorway | Yunnan, China 2003

   January is the first month of the year. However, along with the month of February, it was the last to be added to the calendar. The month is named for Janus, the Roman god of doors and gateways. Janus was usually depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions — one to the past and one to the future. The month of January beckons us to look back and take inventory of the previous year and to look ahead to the opportunities of the coming year.

   January offers us the opportunity for fresh starts, second chances, and new beginnings. Fresh starts have a way of giving new meaning to life. Second chances can invigorate us with the resolve to do better and go farther than we ever have. New beginnings can infuse us with purpose, energy, and the determination to walk through doors and gateways that lead to new challenges.

   I hope that you will step across the threshold of the New Year with the determination to go beyond — to become more and to do more than ever before for God and His purposes. Here are a few practical suggestions for how you can go beyond and live adventurously for God in the coming year.

A = Acknowledge | Depend on God. Acknowledge your need for Him. Watchman Nee said that divine work can only be done in dependence upon divine strength. He was right! Keep that in mind as you face the challenges of the coming year.

D = Dream | Make sure that you have more dreams than memories. Dream about and envision what God can do in and through you if you will make yourself totally available to Him. And then, make yourself totally available to Him.

V = Venture | Do not just be something — do something. Have the faith and the courage to venture across the line that defines the farthest you’ve ever been or the most you’ve ever done for God and His purposes. Adventure awaits you on the other side of that line.

E = Endure | Ernest Shackelton is one of my historical mentors. His family’s motto was Fortitudine Vincimus — “By Endurance We Conquer.” Expect hardships, challenges, and setbacks when you venture into uncharted territory. And then, endure! Hold on, hold out, and press on. Nobody said it would be easy.

N = Nurture | Develop the disciplines that will sustain you. Exercise to face physical challenges and study and pray to prepare for spiritual challenges. Be intentional in your preparation. Remember that success is the offspring of opportunity and preparation.

T = Trash | Take inventory of habits and attitudes that will hinder your progress. The writer of Hebrews admonishes us to “lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us” (Heb. 12:1). Do it. Toss them all into the trash like filthy rags. And then, leave them there and travel light.

U = Utilize | Use your time and resources to advance God’s purposes. Christians in America spend 97 cents of every dollar on themselves while spending only 3 cents on advancing God’s purposes around the planet. We’ve got to do better than that if we expect to advance the interests of God’s kingdom. Do and give more this year.

R = Risk | Risk is about exposure to the chance of injury or loss. John A. Shedd said, “A ship in the harbor is safe but that is not what ships are built for.” God did not design us to stay in the harbor or to always sail within sight of the shore. So, take a risk for a cause bigger than yourself. Lose sight of the shore this year.

E = Encourage | Encourage others to go beyond by your example. Those who think they can’t might believe they can if they see you taking bold steps. Don’t underestimate the power of your influence. Dare to live adventurously for God throughout the New Year.