A Real New Year's Goal: becoming Christ like

As 2012 begins I sit here thinking about all the news years resolutions/goals I've made for this year, I've realized that, yes- I can lose 10 pounds, sure I can grow my business, but how are those goals making me more like Christ. What am I to do become more like Him?

On New Year's, Pastor Steve asked us the question, 

"What is one thing you are going to stop doing to be more like Christ?" 

I pondered this question for a couple days, wondering what this one thing was in my life. Anger. Anger is evident {at times} in my life, my work, and my relationships. With this anger I can't show others the love and grace that God has shown me, it's stopping me from becoming more like HIM. 

I asked myself that day, "what am I going to do to void this anger, how in the world to I do it?." That night I pulled up the bible on my iPad and prayed, "God, as I read, please show me what to do, guide me to those passages that will allow me to become more like you." As I looked at the reading plans, there was a 3 day anger reading plan- answered prayer. So I did it, I quickly felt at peace, I realized that this anger was blocking out my God. After just three days and couple of verses, I was truly, honestly, and faithfully live by James 1:19-20: my dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to becoming angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

There it was- my answer. Be slow to become angry.....anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Since I have been able to admit that anger is that one thing I need to void in my life to allow God into my life- God as been so evident. I am slow to become angry- and every time I want to, God says "Lauren, remember James 1:19-20" and it's like a weight lifted off me. 

So, my real goal for 2012 isn't to lose weight. It's to become more like Him, to show His love, His grace, His passion, His righteousness, His hope, and His story. 

I know God is going to do big things in 2012 and I am so excited! 

What are you doing to become more like Him? 

Peace, Love, and living for Him,

LJ

Proverbs 20: It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel