Posted by Laurie Crowley on
January 04, 2012 03:01
I’m not much into making New Year’s resolutions, but I have made a life resolution, and
that is to be intentional about growth. I want to be constantly growing. Growth comes
when we challenge ourselves, learn new things, switch up the routine and get out of our
comfort zones. It comes when we’re not satisfied with staying where we are.
I introduced a new drill in practice a few weeks ago; the team did not like it. The reason
they didn’t like the drill had everything do do with the fact that it challenged them. My
team is more than content to stick with drills that they are successful at. Once I
introduced one that exposed their weaknesses, it was a totally different ball game, and
they wanted nothing to do with it.
We tend to live our lives that way, sticking with what we are good at or with what we are
accustomed to. But growth comes thru a challenge. Growth comes from that which is
not always easy or even natural for us.
Here’s how I am intentional about my growth:
• I listen to sermons 3-5 times a week while getting ready for work. I’d rather listen to
music but listening to different podcasts builds my faith and helps me grow.
• I read. Leaders are readers. Reading expands my thinking and knowledge; it also stirs
up my creativity.
• I surround myself with people who are more experienced or better than me in some
particular field (coaching, weigh lifting, Biblical...). Sometimes I feel inadequate, silly or
stupid compared to them, but these friendships, networks and mentors challenge me
to maturity.
• I switch up my routine. By changing up my morning workouts, my body is challenged.
The same happens when I switch up my daily routine. I can’t do it every day, but I do
what I can when I can. Sometimes it’s my Bible reading, sometimes it’s the order of
my day, but any curveball in the normal routine is a good thing because it prevents me
from getting lazy or apathetic.
• I agree (not always) to things that I’m not always comfortable with or even good at. I’m
in charge of the church website. I’m not a tech person, but the responsibility is helping
me grow. I’m also speaking soon to a group of youth pastors on a topic I haven’t quite
mastered, but again, it’s challenging me, and I know that will in turn grow me.
• I try new things...foods, activities...mostly activities because I will be the first to admit
I’m quite picky and a creature of habit when it comes to my food!
• I have committed to fasting on a regular basis. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that
positions us to hear and see more clearly; it purifies us; plus it releases the strength
and power of God in us. That’s what I want!
The girls on my team who want to improve embrace new drills that strengthen their
weaknesses. It’s challenging, but it develops them, making them stronger and better
basketball players. The same goes for those who want to grow, who don’t want to stay
in the same place they’re in now, personally or spiritually. Join me in getting intentional
about growth this year!