It is 2013. The year has changed. It is an odd number, strange, and unfamiliar, maybe it will grow on me. I being myself decided the new year would begin on the 8th, following an exam, that way I could continue constant revision snacking without feeling the guilt. Needless to say when the 8th came, i didn't make any changes to my eating habits, I baked cookies instead. I do however desire for this to be a year of change, so much so that i cut my hair, myself, on a whim (how Christy like! ;) ). No I know it wont change a thing, other than having a flap of hair across my forehead for at least a few weeks. Following baking, and cutting my hair, I went somewhere, where significant thoughts began...
Where did I go, I hear you ask? I went to a friends small group, (if you read the last blog this will be a little familiar) and she challenged us to think about the past year, my mind really only went back to the summer, but a year is twice that. The next day, for the first time ever, I read through a year of my journals; my prayers, my notes from God's Word, from sermons, talks, conversations, books. It took most of the day, and my head is still processing it all, i could write notes on notes, i did sorta jotted some down haha. BUT: I've been blown away by the amount of different things and same things God has lay in front of me this year, now last year. It is mind boggling. If you've recorded any of this sorta stuff, and you do not normally look back at it much, do!
You will see the year better, things you missed, or forgotten, prayers answered! It has blessed me to see, where Christ has been and how God has guided my paths. I wish I had taken time to reflect more on what He was teaching me in those days, weeks and months. And that my friends, as of the 8th, is one of my new year resolutions, or more preferably a life resolution. How can I take His truths to heart if I have not taken time to meditate, to dwell in those thoughts for a while? How can I be soaked in His thoughts when I listen and hear a sprinkle for a moment? God should not be restricted to our 'Quiet Time', all time is His. His time is all the time. Lets mediate on His Word, let us learn more of it, let us dwell in it. Food isn't just consumed once a day, why should we only eat spiritually once a day?
A few weeks ago I was visiting a church, and the Pastor announced their new years eve service, claiming boldly a 7 minute video that could
change your life would be shown. Maybe it was year or both, either way, i laughed, sceptically, there is no way a video will do such a thing. It would be forgotten within a month or two, surely! No, below is not that video, although it is 7 minutes long (so maybe it is)... despite being ridiculously curious as to what the video was i did not join him to find out. But this clip, contains statements, and thoughts that I want to change me life.
I do not know what you thought about that clip, maybe you thought it focused too much on our lives, and too little on God's grace? I do not know. There was an element of myself with those thoughts.
However, remembering that I will stand before a perfect, pure, righteous, HOLY God, One who paid a great price to save me and those who call upon His name, from the death of hell, separation from His complete goodness to, a promised life in heaven with Him. As Lecrae put it, 'If we fought for our rights we'd be in hell tonight'. Surely that inspires a passion for change. A passion to love Him more, to follow Him more, and love regardless of friendship.
Too often we forget His holiness, we forget the price God paid to restore our relationship, we forget that the good works 'we do' were prepared beforehand by God (Ephesians 2: 10), and instead tribute them to ourselves and say 'Look Lord what I have done for you'. And
dangerously we forget to enjoy the relationship He has for us. If we do not love Him now, why do we want to go to Heaven, where we He is? Why don't we allow Him to fill us more, that we may enjoy His rest, His joy, His peace...His presence.
"We'll gaze on eternity and say, 'Look at all the riches there were in Jesus Christ, and I've come to the Judgment Seat almost a pauper .'"
A. W. Tozer
For God had not only given us Jesus Christ - He has with Him freely given us all things
Romans 8:32
The clip challenges me to change. To end laziness, to be selfless, to give Christ my devotion, my deepest love. To allow Him not just to be my Saviour, but my Lord. To think more with eternity in view. What would eternities perspective challenge you to change?
