Friends, without even realizing it we are on the wheel today. There is a final destination awaiting us in glory and progress is being made on that final product. While the end goal is heaven, here we are formed to be vessels fit for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21). Some days we may feel all right, others our imperfections may seem more pronounced, but take heart for even that great apostle once declared, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect…” (Philippians 3:12). It may be we are still in the process. It may be that the Father’s loving and careful hands are still at the wheel shaping us: “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand…” (Jeremiah 18:6). By faith, allow yourself to be shaped.
Friends, there is a stillness of heart and soul one must appreciate and long for. When the world demands noise and roars its desires, the Lord beckons us to steal away in His presence and just be still (Psalm 46:10). It is in the quietness of this moment where we shut out the world’s demands and wrap ourselves in the familiar embrace of knowing our God.
Friends, tried and tested are His faithful ones. It is no strange thing to face such afflictions (1 Peter 4:12), but the process of refining is to bring out the value from that which is not. While on paper, it may sound simple, in life these trials carry with them hurt and disappointment. Nevertheless, as our Lord suffered (not to be refined but to be the agent of refining us), so too must we bear our own crosses and acquaint ourselves with His sufferings (2 Timothy 2:12) knowing that in the end: “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” Job 23:10. Nothing we go through is wasted.
“Out with the old, in with the new,” they say. Whether we are using that phrase to declutter closets or our lives, it awakens us to the possibility of allowing something fresh to enter.
Fresh can’t come when we hold on to unprofitable and unproductive things which is why countless individuals use the passing of the old year into the new as a marker for change in many areas of their lives.
As time goes by, we can often get into ruts or feel stale in our routines and daily lives, and we need this refreshing point to reinvigorate us, to reevaluate and reawaken our perspective, and challenge our resolve to do better and to do more. This is a time for redirecting paths that may have gone off-kilter in our relationships, work, ministry, health, life, etc.
When bringing in the new, what are we looking for? That is a question only you can answer for yourself.
When introducing the new for myself, I am looking for an increased awareness of distractions to my goals, which can help me navigate each one as it comes in a fitting manner.
Knowing that distractions will come since we live this thing called life, I am also trying to be more aware of my priorities. How do I best use my time each day to get the most out of the gifts and life God has given me? Am I spending the proper amount of time developing the things that I say are “priorities,” or am I just talking about them?
There is a measure of accountability with oneself that comes with those questions. Am I happy with what I see? If not, what can I do to improve those areas? Where and how can I inspire and challenge change?
Approaching the idea of new is not supposed to be stressful or put a sour taste in your mouth as you grit words of resolve through your teeth. It is a breath of fresh air, bringing with it renewed inspiration to work and/or improve areas of my own life where I desire to see positive adjustments made.
There are countless stories in the Bible where people had the chance to start over and walk into the new, but two of my favorites are Ruth and Abraham. I find their experiences encouraging for all who are pressing forward and inviting this level of change in their lives.
Ruth, especially, in the natural, lost everything. And when she was willing to walk away from everything familiar, comfortable, and reliable – she found what she was walking toward to be so much more fulfilling.
Her story, like Abraham’s, stretched them to go forward into an unknown future, and holding on to faith in God, they went. Neither one of them knew exactly where each step would lead, but they walked forward and were greatly rewarded for their press, for their diligence, and for their continued faith in God.
Starting over, bringing in the new, and allowing these fresh steps to happen can look different for each person. The example of Ruth and Abraham can teach us all a little something about letting go of an unprofitable past and moving forward in faith (take time to read their stories in the Bible).
I don’t know what last year looked like for you and can’t predict what’s in store for this year. As with Ruth and Abraham, we may not have all the answers about the future we are currently going into, but through it all, may we be found moving in the forward press of our faith in God. As we are walking into the new and opening the door of our lives to allow this freshness in, be confident that He has us, and may we continue holding on to Him as we trust in God’s guiding hand, for He is the “same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:14
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8
Word For Life Says... 