Going around that mountain, yet again

     Well, it seems that I will be going around that mountain of mine again this coming year. Although I am disappointed in some of my failures, I like that I’m looking at them more like learning experiences, so really, they are not failures as much as they are lessons. And throughout the year, I  had some successes too, accomplishing things I’ve never done before, they just seem small compared to the “lessons learned”.

     Maybe as I mature, I will see that  my successes were actually a bigger trimuph than I had  first realized. Sometimes  it takes time and reflection to truly see what really happened and why, and the blessing that came through it all. 

     This year, I want to be like the Old Testament heros Caleb and Joseph, who eagerly wanted to face their giants, knowing by faith that the Lord would win the battle for them. After all, no battle is too big for God.

     2012 has been a year of many challenges, many unforeseen. But through it all, I’ve come to know my God so much better and it’s made me thirst to have full knowledge of Him. I am diving into His Word and hope to get lost in Him. It is my desire, that I truly know, that I know, that I know, how much God loves me. I believe that my life will drastically change when I get my mind wrapped around the fact that “Perfect love cast out fear”. Our perfect God who loves us perfectly, really wants us to know that.

     As God becomes so very real to me, I see Him everywhere. I want to rid myself of me and instead be filled with more of Him. I believe my friends will be quite shocked if I become a quiet person for a while and maybe, thankful – I often hear that I talk alot. This year, maybe I will be still and listen more. Maybe… 

     One thing I do know is that I want everything the Lord wants to give me, every Spiritual gift, the Fruits of the Spirit fully manifested and operating in my life and that I may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God.

     I think most of all, I want to be someone who always walks in love. I want to do something, anything, that will help someone else live better or feel better about themself. I also want to love myself like Christ loves me. I wish I had the God given ability of forgetting everytime I’ve missed the mark, as far as the east is to the west. But since I don’t have that, it sure is great to know that Christ loves me because of who He is and not for who I am.

     This year, I will ponder in my heart what Christ says about me. After all, it’s a long trip around that mountain of mine and my Jesus, well, He is no doubt the very best traveling companion. With Him there will be peace through the storms and no burden too heavy. With Him there is an endless supply of living water, my God who fills the hungry with good things. He promises I will never be in want and He never lies. He will surround me with favor as with a shield and will bless the work of my hands.

     Whatever happens this year, I know I won’t be the same. My prayer from Ephesians is, “I pray that out of His glorious  riches, He strengthens me with power through His Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ my dwell in my heart through faith. And  I pray that being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this  love that surpasses knowledge – that I may be filled to the measure  of the fullness of God.”

     I am thankful to serve the Living God who is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine. May I glorify Him in 2013 and forever.  And to you, my friends, may you see this prayer be fullfilled in your lives as well and may love and peace fill your hearts.