Happy New Year, all of you in blog land! I still can’t quite believe it’s already January 2023. It seems weird to write 2023 and odd to type it.
As we begin another year, I’m curious if you’ve started any goals or resolutions? I’d love to get some feedback from you, and just know what your feelings are about this. I know some friends don’t believe in having resolutions. Others love them.
I do like the thought of having goals and think if I don’t know where I’m going, then I’ll just drift and wonder. How about you?
I have some of the normal goals…losing weight, eating more fruits/veggies, exercising. Those are a “no brainer” as the 20 pounds I’ve put on since menopause coming on the scene have done a number on my physique, psyche and self-esteem.
I hope to sit down and make attainable goals in 3 different areas: physical, relational and spiritual. They are in my head and rolling around in my brain, but I’ve always read and heard that when you write them down, it helps qualify and “carve them in stone” so they become more achievable and measurable.
Some of my spiritual goals include the following:
Getting up earlier on days I work so I’m not “pushed” and “hurried” to have a meaningful devotion time with the Lord.
Getting up earlier on days that I’m at home so that I get in Bible reading, prayer time and can start my day with the Lord and still have time to be productive. ,ome days I write in a journal; others I don’t. But I want to be more consistent with this.
In both cases, I want to have time to “be still” and hear from the Lord…not just be quick to close my Bible or devotional book and walk away.
How about you?
But I read a great devotional just a few days ago. It was from Henry Blackaby, and it discussed that having the goal of spending more time with the Lord was a lofty and worthy goal. But more than that, we shouldn’t “try harder” or think we have to measure up. It reminded me to put things in perspective and even to rely on the Lord for my time with Him.
The older I get, the more I want to “rest in Him” and ask Him for help moment by moment. I realize life is a series of constant decisions and choices. I can either strive to do life on my own and trust my own intellect and emotions, or I can live surrendered…looking to Him at every turn, no matter how insignificant the choice or how huge the decision.
Recently, I was having lunch with a friend and during the conversation I asked a simple question about how she and her husband had moved to our area. I know she’s a strong believer so I think I said something like, “Did his job bring you? Did you both pray and know this is where God wanted you?” I was struck by her honesty. She said, “Laura, this move was way before we prayed about anything. We went to church; we tried to be good and moral. But we didn’t read our Bible or pray about anything.”
The older I get, the more I know this statement is true of so many. Each of us can be at the church every time the door is open. We can go through the motions…and our hearts be far from him.
I don’t want that. I want to be real and genuine…before Him and others.
So, as we begin this new year, I guess I want to start out with the most important questions I can ask.
Have you asked Jesus, God’s Son, to come into your heart and life and save you from your sin?
Do you believe He died in your place on the cross?
If so, do you look to Him as the Lord of your life? Do you read your Bible to grow and become more like Jesus?
Do you pray and ask Him for guidance, wisdom and an agenda/purpose for your life?
Coming to Christ as a sinner and asking Him to forgive you of your sins is the first step. And it’s glorious! But if you stop there, then you’ve missed out on the “abundant life”.
Bowing your knees and surrendering your own will is the hardest but most rewarding part of being a disciple of Christ.
I’m still learning.
I’m still growing and becoming.
I’m still failing.
But the good news is, God still loves me even when I fail and mess up miserably.
I’m beyond thankful for His forgiveness, mercy and compassion.
Yesterday, I was so down and blue. I prayed; I read my devotion. But I never read the Word. I knew I needed to. It was just “one of those days”.
When I beat myself up and fall so short of what I want to be and do, I remind myself that Jesus loved me enough to stay on the cross. He went through all that pain, agony and humiliation for each one of us.
He is patient; he is kind.
He knows my heart and knows when I need Him to help me be disciplined and obedient.
If all of that truth about who God and Jesus is doesn’t encourage you and lift your spirits, I don’t know what will.
Here’s to a new start and new beginnings with the Lord!
Laura's Lines 