THE CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
January 2011
By Pastor Gary Cortese
There’s just no way around it – good or bad, happy or sad, 2010 is in the history books and we’re all at the start of another brand new year. Regardless of who you are or what you do from day to day here is a true statement: “Constant change is absolutely, positively inevitable while personal growth is still optional.”
People change, goals and ambitions change, political agendas change, cultural trends and circumstances change. This is a part of our life here on planet earth. But you and you alone are responsible for you – no one but you control your attitude, motivation and responses. Why allow other people or circumstances to be responsible for defining you?
What will you do with your next twelve months to be the person you want to be? Before you contemplate your answer consider this: if you’re waiting for ideal conditions before you start making adjustments – you won’t ever get started.
May I be honest with you? As a pastor I hear every kind of excuse imaginable (some unimaginable). One of the biggest problems out there is an inability or an unwillingness to take personal responsibility. Folks just don’t want to be held accountable and it results in blame assignments. In other words someone or something else is usually the reason why…(fill in the blank). Now, are you sure I can be honest here? Let me give you some typical scenarios.
A husband or wife would have been faithful if their spouse was more attentive. An employee would be more motivated if there was room for advancement. A teenager would have abstained from that activity but everyone else was doing it.
Did you notice that there is an “if” or a “but” involved in each of these excuses? This is what I’m calling blame assignment. The harsh reality in life is that people and circumstances are going to disappoint you and let you down. However, when you assign blame it’s like giving someone or something else power over you and your life.
A mentor-pastor once said this to me: “Real men don’t complain or shift blame. They just get the job done.” The Chaplain Division of the Byron Fire District wishes you and your family a very safe, healthy and successful New Year!
If you have a question you would like to ask please contact us. You can email us or call 815-234-8032 or write us:
Global Harvest Church
Po Box 448
Byron, IL 61010-0448