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I’m a groupie, I’ll admit it.
Dictionary definition of a groupie? “An enthusiastic follower of some group or activity.”
And time has proven that if I have trouble with the enthusiastic bit when it comes to a certain activity, then being a part of a group will get me way more motivated than if I tackled the activity on my own.
Anybody with me?
Take exercising, for example. I have a sad, sad track record with that evil word. Ha. It took my first pregnancy (and that crazy 60 pound weight gain!) to get me just a tiny bit motivated to do something to keep my body in shape, and still I never seemed to be able to fit it into my schedule (hmm… “the schedule” never seems to arrive at that easy, convenient stage, does it?). I tried, but failed over and over at any consistency in my workouts. It wasn’t until two girlfriends and I schemed to meet at the crack of dawn several mornings a week to chat – uh, I mean walk – for an hour before work that I actually followed through with anything. If I wasn’t at the end of my driveway by 5:30am, someone was going to knock on my door. You’d better believe that I would have snoozed my alarm and rolled back over a hundred times if I didn’t have that accountability on my doorstep. That year, I may not have gotten in the best shape of my life, but I learned the very important skill of not getting completely out of breath while walking and talking simultaneously, both at a non-stop pace. Ha.
And I also began to learn the life-long art of self discipline.
Bible reading is the same for me. I need accountability. I need consistency to make a difference in my spiritual walk. I need someone “showing up” to make sure that I’m going to show up too. I wish it wasn’t true. I wish it could all come from me. But the reality is I need others to spur me on.
God knew that would be the case:
“Let us encourage one another….”
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on ….”
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…”
“But exhort one another every day…”
My action starts here.
If you’re like me, Monday – and the start of our Colossians study – can’t come soon enough. We’re just a little bit excited around here! My reading schedule is printed and has been neatly placed in my Bible. My SOAP binder is ready to go, and I even have my favorite pen all picked out (please tell me ya’ll are obsessed with your favorite pen too!). But I’m also hitting my knees hard now, because Monday will be, well… Monday. The week will begin in full force before I know it, and will probably catch me a bit off guard like it usually does. Some child of mine will no doubt wake up much earlier than I would like, and I’ll quickly remember that I let a whole lot of laundry pile up over the weekend. And in between my growing mental to-do list and the many needs around me that will beg for my attention by 7am…
I’ll have a choice to make.
With God’s help – even in the midst of daily distractions all around us – let’s be determined to do what we set out to do… to simply be in God’s Word together. If we are obedient to do our part, we can be confident that God will do the rest. It may not be easy every day, but friend, it will be oh, so worth it.
And about that accountability? Yes, please.
At His feet,
**Still needing some accountability and want to be placed in a GMG group for the Colossians study? There are real women just like you in all stages of life who are meeting up and forming groups over on our Message Board. Visit the Message Board here and get plugged into a group today!!
So true! Thank you for your encouragement! We will be travelling from Germany to the U.S. this weekend and with the jet lag it might be easier to get up earlier the first couple of days. At least I hope so! Excited to get started with the GMG study for the first time! Kind regards Beate
Yes, please, for me too!! I can’t wait to start studying Colossians!!
I’m totally with you on the need for accountability. I’ve gotten better at exercising on my own, but it still helps if I tell friends about my exercise plans or keep up with a food and exercise tracking website (which I haven’t been doing lately, tsk tsk).
As for the pens… I thought that was just me! I’ve been on the hunt for perfect pens for years! My favourite pens are the ones my husband has learned to make over the past year – he buys pen-making kits and wood, then somehow through the magic of a lathe and drill he produces beautiful and comfortable pens.
Yes! Accountability is exactly the thing I need (to go with my need for focused discipline…).
I wrote this just this morning: http://thankfulexpressions.blogspot.com/2012/09/live-your-life-on-purpose.html
Thanks for posting this timely message (to me). God is speaking loud and clear. I’m so happy to have found GMG. This is my first bible study with you and I’m excited about it.
Im do very excited for this study to start! Reading this page was so good for me cuz that’s me totally!!! One thing I don’t know is..am I in a group? I thought I signed up right but I’ve not heard anything about the group if I’m in one haha could you help me find out! Thank You Lord for this opportunity to be with this women learning about You and what You have to say to us!!
If I could write like you, I wouldhave written exactly what you wrote! I am excited too! I know my flesh is saying, “NOT ANOTHER BIBLE STUDY!” But my spirit is saying YES! YES! YES! Have my bookmark in place! Just need more ink for my copier to print out the study guide! Can hardly wait!
Whitney- I love this! Yes, I can read the Bible on my own, but I do so much better with accountability! I can’t wait to start! God is going to do amazing things. Thanks for sharing your ever honest heart!
Is there a study guide to download for Colossians? i can’t find one. Thanks!!
I am having difficulty finding where to download the study and bookmark. I read about them but didn’t see to download can you help me with that? Thank you so much!
Hi Wanda and PJ,
Once you subscribe to the blog, all of the links to the materials you need for the Colossians study can be found at the bottom of every email you receive from GMG (you will receive one each time there is a new post). If you still need to subscribe, you can follow the link here:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoodMorningGirls
Thanks for checking in… excited to start studying with you in two short days!!
Whitney
Suzanne,
I just sent you a facebook request! So thrilled you are joining us this Fall!
Whitney
Amen! Accountability definitely helps me keep on track. I have a great group that I am doing this study with. I did the Proverbs 31 with them and truly enjoyed it. Looking forward to tomorrow!!
Thanks for the encouraging words. I love that God reminds us that we can’t and shouldn’t do this on our own. I know I certainly need cheering on and sometimes a kick in the pants