day 27- VIM

What is VIM? Let me use an example.

For most adults, the one area they wish to change more than most others is losing weight. If you take all the weight loss products and all the health club memberships and all the diet books and all the weight loss programs, you are looking at billions of billions of dollars. Yet, most people simply go through a cycle of losing and gaining. Most people never seem to see permanent results. I would argue that most frequent reason for this is they went directly to means without really considering vision and intention.

In vision you think about what you would look like if you lost weight. Would you be more attractive? The bit of narcissism in all of us would enjoy that. Then you think about what you would feel like if you didn’t have to carry around those extra pounds every day. The aches and pains in your joints. Just the overall dragging that goes on by the end of the day. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to face the world as a “lean, mean, fighting machine?” (If you haven’t seen Stripes, classic Bill Murray) Do you have a vision for weight loss?

The vision is not enough. You can’t just sit there daydreaming about how great it would be to lose weight. You can’t just read testimonials. You have to carefully consider what life would be like as a slimmer you. You have to count the cost. Jesus knows that.

Luke 14:28 (NLT)
"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?"

After this careful consideration, if you are truly ready this time, then you state you intentions. Maybe you confide in a friend that this time you really mean it. You have a vision for weight loss. You have the intention to do what it takes to achieve it. Now, the final step is the easiest. How to do it. The means.

Proper diet and exercise are the keys to weight loss. Sleep is also important. A healthy lifestyle includes these three. There are other factors that will help you personally, perhaps even addressing if what is going on in your life makes unhealthy eating a response to emotional stress and such. There are certain disciplines that are helpful as means to guide your accomplishment to lasting weight loss. What is the system for you?

You can see what vision, intention, and means can do for weight loss. What would it look like to change a whole life? Using VIM is really the only way to place yourself under the power of the Holy Spirit for lasting transformation. What is VIM for the life of self-denial?

Think of times you attempted a significant change about yourself in your life. How did it go/ how is it going?