I celebrated the turning of the New Year with my sister’s family in Indianapolis. We got together with some friends of theirs at a hotel and ate junk food and played games until the time came to watch the ball drop and ring in the New Year. And it got me thinking. Although it’s New Years Eve it really is just another day. How come it takes the start of a new year for us (me) to determine to make changes? It’s almost like we think changes can’t be made at any time…that there has to be some kind of “special moment”. But every time we make changes, or resolutions, it is a special moment…a moment of surrender. People just seem to make more of them at the start of a new year.
I haven’t made any grand resolutions to lose weight or be better at keeping in touch with friends who are far away but I did spend some time thinking about my life and about the things that I wish were different. I do hope I am in a better place in my relationship with God than I was a year ago…that I have lived “in a manner worthy of my calling” so that whether people see me or just hear about my life they will know that I stand firm in my faith. (Phil 1:27) And I do hope that I have been faithful to God’s voice in my life. It was difficult to realize that He was telling me to wait on going to Brasil fulltime…that He wanted me to stay with SoulFire for right now. It was also difficult watching Mark battle cancer last year. But he did so without ever losing his testimony of worship…a legacy that SoulFire continues today…and it has forever changed how I look at life.
I spent some time yesterday reading through Psalm 1 and I determined that I want to be like this person in the New Year:
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
Wow…did you catch that? “Whatever he does prospers.” That is my desire. That I walk so closely with God that my every delight is found in Him. That I am planted so closely to Him that the only water I drink is from the Word of God. That I would bear fruit and be in such a right relationship with Him that whatever I do would prosper and bring Him honor, glory, and fame. That is my prayer for this year and I had one of those moments of surrender on my knees before I went to sleep last night asking God to do this in my life.
What “resolutions” do you need to make this year? “Now” is always a good time to surrender…
3 comments:
I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy reading your blog. I always enjoyed talking to you at Wells. What you write always makes me think, I like that. Thanks for keeping me entertained and thinking, thats a good thing. I was with my boyfriend's family yesterday for a New Years dinner together, they all stood in a circle holding hands and said a prayer before dinner. Just watching them all and their relationship with God has made me realize that I want a closer relationship. And I think they will be good at helping me get closer. Is it crazy that I say I don't exactly know how? But I get a twinge of jealousy when they can just recite places in the Bible that they know by heart. I want to be able to do that, so its a good jealousy because I now have something to strive for. That's my New Years resolution. I also want my daughter to grow up strong in her relationship with God.
i do not make resolutions any more.
but this year I have decided to hope for a dream to come true. and while I wait I will pursue wherever it is I think GOD is leading me. will I end up where I think I will? hard to say really. but I will end up right where I am meant to be. I like that you started the new year by reflecting. reflecting on the past can be good. because nothing helps me see things better than a clear reflection. Keep on writing. May GOD shine his face upon you.
the unprofitable one,
Joe W Hartsell Jr
Hey girl. I just wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed reading your new blog, but I must say that it only makes me miss you more. Keep writing my friend. I want to see what great things God will do in your life this year!
Nic
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