A New Year

The start of a new year is always such a time of reflection. An exciting chance for a fresh start. I saw on TV last night a list of the top five resolutions for 2011. Nothing surprising, very typical resolutions...get organized, have fun, get fit, etc. I had to laugh because those things sound great and I resolve many times throughout each and every year to do those things! But as this new year has approached, I've given a lot of thought to what I truly want to change in my life. I thought of three verses that really summed up the goals and desires I have for this new year.

Make me know Your ways O Lord, teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4-5

I want to continue to grow closer to God. I long to know Him better, learn more about His Word and how I am called to live out my life as a wife, mother, friend and sister in Christ. I want to understand more clearly what it truly means to be a Christian and avoid the trap of redefining Christianity so that it is comfortable for me.

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

I want to keep my focus on things that are eternally important. I don't want to get caught up in the things of this world and the love and comfort of my sin. I want to live each day to glorify God and disciple and train my children, not worrying about materialistic things, or my appearance, or what everyone else may or may not be doing. And most importantly, I do not want to fear what others will think.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3

This is a hard one, but I want to shift my way of thinking so that when I do face the trials that are guaranteed to come, I will view them as an opportunity to seek the Lord more and grow in my faith and apply what I am learning and trust that God has allowed the trial to not only refine me, but to bring Him glory.

Happy New Year!