Coach's Corner

Fresh Start

This is the time of year where many make new commitments for the upcoming year. New commitments can range from living a healthier lifestyle to advancing in their careers. The calendar provides the opportunity for a fresh start, so why not take advantage of it! As I began to reflect on the upcoming year I decided to narrow down my focus as to what I want to accomplish as I embark on my fresh start. There is a powerful biblical reference that has always impacted my thinking and in turn impacted my lifestyle. The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 says,

"Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

In essence the Apostle Paul is emphatically pointing out that his resume is not on paper with a long list of education and experience, but rather his resume is found in the hearts of those he has invested in. Paul is emphasizing that the true test of one's life is the legacy he or she leaves behind in the people he or she invests in. For the Apostle Paul, pouring into the people around him was his greatest commitment.

I think this thought given to us by the Apostle Paul is a great new year's challenge to undertake for our own lives. When it comes down to it, we can gain all the wealth in the world, and reach the pinnacle of success in our workplace, but all of this means nothing if the people in our lives are left without any positive evidence of us being involved in their lives.

With this fresh start of a new year I am making a renewed personal commitment to intentionally invest in people. After all, it's the human soul that lasts forever, as opposed to material things that will eventually rot, rust and be destroyed. My hope is that you would travel this same journey - invest in people, so you can leave a legacy that lasts.

Pastor Joel

Posted January 01, 2008