Think back to the holidays of your childhood. Remember the decorations? How about the wonderful aromas wafting through the house from the warm kitchen? I’m sure that there are special memories that could be shared for hours that were provided for us as children with the backdrop of the Holiday Season. Christmas Day! I can’t think of another day that is filled with so much excitement and anticipation for a child!

Nothing made me feel as special, and no time was more anticipated than when we were finally able to open our Christmas gifts! Even more, there are few words which can describe the elation felt when you opened a present to discover “just the thing” that you had asked for. Whatever your particular special gift was, you felt so complete and so fulfilled at the moment that you received it…because it was just what you asked for!

Interestingly, as we mature into adulthood, the Holidays seem much less festive. Oh, the Holiday Spirit is still there, and time spent with family and friends is always uplifting. But, many of us adopt the mindset that Christmas is just for kids. We wonder at their excitement and maybe envy their complete satisfaction with their gifts. If we reflect for a moment, perhaps there is much that we can learn from our own childhood memories that can unlock the key to achieving all of our goals. Perhaps we can rediscover how to believe and act on our belief; the foundations of an “Active Faith”.

What is Faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. Hebrews 11:1 (TLB)

The simple idea of adopting and practicing an “Active Faith” means that you can experience the achievement of all of your goals! You can ask for what you need and act, moving beyond mere belief into execution, to receive benefits for yourself and for your loved ones. You can recapture the complete satisfaction and wholeness that comes from merely asking for and receiving what you want or need.

This is my 3 step plan to building your “Active Faith” and reaching your goals!

First, you must know what you want! Even children write down their ideas and develop their own little Christmas “Wish Lists”. Allow yourself to dream! Be specific about your goals, making sure that they are time oriented, achievable, and realistic!

Next, you must be willing to ask for what you want! Present your plans and goals to God as simply and sincerely as you would have asked your parents for your top choice from your Christmas “Wish List”. Believe that you have been heard. This is the exercise of your faith.

Finally, you must be willing to do what you can to make your dreams and goals a reality! This is the execution of your planning…which is the Active portion of an “Active Faith”. Use your resources, intellect, connections, and planning to take those steps that you can take. This is all that God needs to see in order for him to know that you expect that he will do his part on your behalf!

It is quite common to experience “mental inertia” because the responsibilities and cares of life bring a predictable routine that offers little hope for change. The fact that you are reading this article is evidence that you desire more from life, and more is what you’ll find when you understand that you cannot accept life “as is”!

Your loftiest, highest aspirations are what God has always seen for you…even if you couldn’t see it for yourself! God believes in your dreams and is waiting, like a doting parent, to give you “just the thing” that you have always wanted! Start achieving your goals today! Adopt an “Active Faith” and experience the complete satisfaction, elation and wholeness that God has in store for you!

God Bless!

Jeremy Watkins, Ed.S. is a certified Christian Counselor & School Counselor as well as an author. He specializes in Pre-Marital Education and has outlined an effective, uplifting alternative to the "traditional bachelor party". The Bachelor's Boot Camp was written specifically for Men who are contemplating marriage and want to celebrate their upcoming marriages without sacrificing their morals and values. Visit the site below for more information.