You can make a difference in the lives of others -- in your family, school, church, community, and world! The world needs you -- your ideas, your compassion, and your spiritual outlook. And, it’s never too late to start contributing. The best gifts are those from the heart.

We read in Titus that we should “set in order the things that are wanting” (Titus 1:5).

One way we could look at this is to get our lives in together, in “order.” If there’s something that’s “wanting,” or lacking, in our lives, and if that something will truly benefit us (and not just gratify a selfish desire), let’s do something spiritually and practically about it. Let’s make progress in our lives.

Sandy Wilder, our Guest of the Month, is committed to helping people progress in their lives and in their careers. One of the things he asks of people is to commit to doing something a minimum of 10 minutes a day for 100 days in a row that will help them progress and make their lives better. Sandy has 13 daily commitments which take him 2-3 hours to complete. He sees the importance of these commitments. Among other things, he prays, reads the Bible, and practices tai chi. So, let’s join him in establishing and keeping our commitments. If 100 days seems impossible, start smaller: there are only 28 days in February.

Commit to Progress: make and keep daily commitments

1. Think about how you want to progress in your life -- at home, at school, at a job, in a relationship, etc.
2. Think about practical things you can do to make progress.
3. Prioritize what you really want to commit to doing daily. Make sure you see and believe in the value of the activity, or it’ll be difficult to keep the commitment.
4. Commit to doing at least one of these things for 10 minutes every day. You may commit to more than one thing. Each commitment requires 10 minutes.
5. Decide how long you want to practice this commitment: 28 days, 60 days, 100 days (or less or more).
6. If you do not follow through on your commitment on one day (even if it’s day 27), you have to start over from the beginning.
7. Record that you have completed each day’s commitments so you can be aware of the positive growth you are making. It’s fun to watch and celebrate your progress.
8. Don’t be hard on yourself if you’re not progressing as fast as you wish or if you miss a day. Just be grateful for the growth you’ve already made and recommit.
9. If you want, you can ask a friend or family member to make his or her own individual commitments and go through the process together. That way, you can help each other out and remind each other to take the 10 minutes you promised yourself to devote to this activity. If you do your commitments with someone else, just make sure you each stay cheerleaders for the other. No criticism, judgment, or bragging is allowed -- only encouragement!

Here are some ideas to get started:

• Pray for yourself, for the world, for someone else
• Do sit ups, jump on a tramp, do pilates exercises
• Read from the Bible and inspirational books
• Write in a journal, take time to think, appreciate nature
• Make a gratitude list, listen to a family member, listen to God.

The book of Titus also gives us great ideas on how we can progress. Many of these are attitudes. Some require action. But all are necessary for leading a good, progressive life, a life that will bless yourself and others. How can you turn them into daily commitments? All of the following are from Titus (KJV unless noted):

• “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:7, 8).
  • For at least 10 minutes a day you make sure that you’re an example for others.
  • Be sincere. Don’t criticize.
  • Of course, these would be good things to do 24-7.
    
    
• “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (2:12).
• “We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now” (The Message, 2:12).
  • What can you do for 10 minutes a day that honors God?
  • Erase a bad habit by starting a good habit.
    
    
• “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (3:1, 2).
• “Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous” (The Message, 3:1, 2).
  • Find a way to be courteous and bighearted to others.
  • Go out of your way to do something for someone else (mow the lawn, pick fruit, walk someone home from school, make dinner, etc.).
    
    
• “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful” (3:14).
  • Keep doing good things.
  • Write down all the good you have accomplished through God. Write with humility and gratitude.

Why do we make and keep daily commitments? In Sandy’s words, “This keeps me fit so when someone asks if I want to play, I’m ready.” (See Guest of the Month interview.)

We want to make a difference in people’s lives. We want to be ready to help them. So, we need to keep ourselves mentally and physically fit so we can help others.

Enjoy the challenge! You can do it!

-- MFE