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An Upward, Onward, and Forward New YearBy Ed Delph January 1, 2018 This week is the start of a New Year. For the last few weeks, I’ve wished you a Merry Christmas. Now it’s time to wish you an Upward, Onward, and Forward New Year.Author Mike Murdock wrote an article about awareness on the fact that decisions create events. Some decisions create a desired future instead of a desired present. Let me illustrate. A farmer went to buy a pickup truck that he saw advertised in the paper for a certain price. After telling the salesmen which truck he wanted, they sat down to do the paperwork. The salesman handed the farmer the bill, and the farmer declared, "This isn't the price I saw!" The salesman went on to tell the wise old farmer how he was getting extras such as power brakes, power windows, special tires, and the like, and that was what brought the price up. The farmer desperately needed the truck, so he paid the price and went home. Sound familiar? A few months later, the salesman called up the farmer and said, "My son is in the 4-H club and he needs a cow for a project. Do you have any for sale?" The farmer said, "Yes, I have a few cows that I would sell for $500 each. Come, look at them and take your pick." After spending a few hours in the field checking out the cows, they decided on a cow and the salesman proceeded to write out a check for $500. The farmer said, "Now, wait a minute, that's not the purchase price of the cow. You're getting extras with it and have to pay for those too!" "What extras?" asked the salesman. Below is the list of add-on’s the farmer gave to the salesman for the final price of the cow. Basic Cow - $500. Two-tone exterior - $45. Extra stomach - $75. Product storing equipment - $60. Straw compartment - $120. Four spigots @$10 each - $40. Leather upholstery - $125. Dual horns - $45. Automatic fly swatter - $38. Fertilizer attachment - $185. All the extras totaled $1,233. As they say, turnabout is fair play. This is what I call ‘future shock.’ You see, in a tangible way, people and things respond to what you have done in the past. If you eat two slices of chocolate cake every night, what is the inevitable eventuality? If you use and abuse people over an extended period, what is the inevitable eventuality? Almost everything you are presently doing will benefit either your present or your future. Present decisions do create future events. Ask that car salesman. You and I will make many decisions this coming year. Author Mike Murdock goes on to say in his article, "Remember, as you make decisions today, that some of them will bring pleasure today. But tomorrow you will be miserable over those decisions. Some decisions may make you a little uncomfortable for today. But, tomorrow, you will be thrilled with the decision. Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to deliver Him from the crucifixion. He could have instantly come down off of the cross. But, He made the decision in the garden of Gethsemane that created an incredible future. He was willing to go through a season of pain to create an eternity of gain." This coming year can be our best, even in uncertain times, if we reprogram our thinking to making decisions that benefit our future! We can stop taking negative journeys into yesterday, by making wise, future-minded decisions today. What is uncomfortable today can create a more comfortable tomorrow. Make decisions that create the future you desire. In other words, tomorrow's Happy Upward, Onward, and Forward Happy New Year starts today. Ed Delph CCC December 25, 2017
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Ed Delph is a leader in church-community connections. Visit Ed Delph's website at www.nationstrategy.com
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