As each year comes to a close I like to take time to do a review of the year and get clear about the year ahead. 2015 was quite an interesting year to say the least. The last three years have been life changing for me, in good and bad ways. But I’ve learned to count it all joy.
Suffering of any sort challenges our faith and causes us to look at God’s Word with fresh sight. We either dig deeper and stand, fade away or run away.
I faced things I never dreamed I would have to in all my life, and just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse they did. I tried to pray it away, fast it away, faith it away but it’s still here. Even worse, it’s not my thing! The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9). I’ve had to accept that answer too, until change comes.
I wish I could share more but the fact is, though I’m so closely connected it’s not my story to share. Over these few years I’ve often found myself holding back because it’s not my story, though it’s become part of my story. Selah. But people deserve privacy. Privacy is not hiding things, it’s not sharing every part of your story for the sake of others and/or yourself. In my case it’s for others.
Facing the unexpected changed my perspective of life and God.
I came to understand that I cannot allow the things I’m going through to consume me. However, I cannot ignore them either. I also learned to cherish every moment because I never know what the next one may bring.
My year in review and faith for the year to come!
I set my goals but life forced my hand. I had to put my goals aside so I could be present in the season and for the situation I am facing. I did not accomplish everything I set out to do. I’m glad of that!!! I learned to yield to God even more and to tap into His grace. I became un-distracted from all things I wanted to do.
I became clear about what is important and what I am supposed to be doing. Selah, again.
I wrote two books, one authored by yours truly, and one authored by God. When God asked for my book, I struggled to let go of the thing I spent so much time working on. But when I finally let go God showed me His heart and allowed me to write a book from His heart to His daughters. It’s the best feeling every to co-labor with God!!
The book is complete and it’s one of the things I will be focusing on next year. The Lord reminded me that I am called to pray for His church, even more now than every before. He also told me to “GO” next year and preach the gospel.
I often wonder why God calls us in the worst of times do extraordinary things. I think it’s because if we do things on our terms, when our lives are just right we will take His glory and the credit that belongs to Him.
It’s nice to look back at the end of the year to see what you’ve accomplish and it’s good to plan for the upcoming year. However, don’t beat yourself up if you did not accomplish as much as you wanted to and don’t hold so tight to your plans that God can’t change them.
James warned us not to boast about tomorrow:
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. James 4:13-17
Life has a way of slowing us downing and changing our plans. And that’s OK. It’s better to live in the present and get the lessons from the season you’re in than to press pass them in an urgency to accomplish your goals and miss God all together. Beloved, in all things my prayer for you is this: May the Lord crown your year with His goodness, and cause paths to drip with abundance. (Psalm 65:11)
Before this year comes to a close take some time to review your year and prepare with honesty and soberness for the year ahead.
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