My calendar is nearly spent, and it signals for me the time to evaluate where I have come from and where I am going. I don’t call it resolution making any more, (just as I’d rather call dieting "changing my eating habits!") Though this reflection can be helpful, I can also find myself discouraged if I am not careful. Sometimes it is easier for me to see where I have gotten off track rather than how far I have come with the Lord’s help. If you are anything like myself and have a melancholy sort of bent , I caution you to approach this process with much prayer for a realistic and balanced look. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” While I believe his words are true, I am also aware of the dangers of getting "stuck" by wallowing in an overly examined life.
I have found that if I begin my time of reflection and planning in partnership with my loving Heavenly Father, I sense a fresh power enabling me to apply the life lessons learned. I have also found greater self awareness as I focus on the areas of my life that specifically need God's touch and my attention. I know too, that I am in a healthy place if am remembering that the rear view mirror is for short glances back for gaining reference and perspective. Just as it would be foolish and dangerous for me to drive my car forward while staring intently in the rear view mirror, God’s word reminds me that it is exercising wisdom to be forward focused. Philippians 3:13 reminds me to focus on “forgetting what lies behind and reaching toward what lies ahead.” This kind of healthy forgetting can also mean forgetting some of the good things too, for there have been times of success that I have chosen to camp on, rather than forget. Forgetting can help us combat pride, because it takes the focus off of our part of the perceived success, and places it fully on the only one deserving of the credit.
A good place to start for all of us, is to remember the words of the Apostle Paul, words from Philippians 1: 6 that remind us.. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” What assurance we have as children of God! What a reminder that our gracious and faithful Father does not give up on us, even when we have yielded to distraction or allowed ourselves to stray. He is always there lovingly extending His hand, calling for us to begin again.
As I hang my 2009 calendar I look forward in anticipation to the opportunities ahead, and if I am really honest about it, there is always a little trepidation too.There will always be things out of our control, and in spite of our most thought through plans. None of us can know what is around that corner, be it joy, grief, illness, gain, or loss. Gratefully we have an unchanging Emmanuel, the God who is "with us" through it all. He is our Father who only permits into our lives that which is for our ultimate good. Isn't it amazing too, that He has already gone before us into our 2009, and knows it all? There is comfort in knowing that nothing that comes our way will be of surprise to Him.
Over the years, my backward glance experiences have only proved to remind me that I am serving a God who has been faithful at every turn, a God who is for me- for us! In return, I long to respond with more trust, more obedience. What about you? Where do you find yourself? Will you resolve to join me and other "Grovers” as we prayerfully make our individual and collective journey plans? This is a journey indeed, a real life adventure that we are on! I challenge you! I challenge myself! Let's look at all the possibilities! Let's grab the opportunities, Let's step out of our comfort zones! Let's dare to risk a little more! Let's dream BIG! Let's expect BIG things of a BIGGER THAN WE CAN IMAGINE God!!
And, oh yes....and if God wills, I look forward to next year at this time when we pause to reflect on the dreams that have become realities, and the obstacles that have been overcome. I can't wait to marvel at what was accomplished not in our might or in our power, but by His Spirit. Amen.
Thanks for reading - comments are welcome!
Peggy
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1 comment:
Blogging is good to sort out and think over as you write and others get to comment and ponder too. I am excited to see your thoughts and words. It will be fun to follow one another-as you are also invited to visit mine too. The journeys we walk are close. thanks for the invite! bless you sister.
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