Living Purposefully in the New Year

I don’t do New Year’s resolutions for for a myriad of reasons. But there have been years that God has so impressed upon my spirit a certain verse or verses that I have taken them on as a “theme” for the year.

The last time God clearly gave me a verse for the year was in 2008. It was a year of learning humility and what it means to draw near to God. Quite honestly I believe that has been the “theme” of my life since. Since then it seems my journey has been about drawing near to Him and only Him. To seek Him. To hunger and thirst for Him alone. To abandon myself completely to Him.

I often learn slowly, too slowly. Four years learning to draw near is not good! But what is even sadder is that I know God is not finished with those lessons. I so often forget and need a refresher course. Isn’t God good in that He never tires of our constantly needing reminders? I am so thankful that when I do forget and go running to Him He is not sitting there scolding me about how I should already have learned that lesson. He knows our human hearts and the forgetfulness of our natural man.

All that to say, that even though 2012 bring another verse impressed upon my heart I do not believe I am done with that which God laid on my heart in 2008. Oh if only we could say, “I’ve learned that lesson well and will not need the learning of it again!” But we know better, don’t we?

2012 begins the year with Hebrews 12:1-2. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

To be completely honest I read these two verses and in both joy and trepidation. Joy because I truly want to learn what are my encumbrances. What sin easily entangles? What does it mean to run with endurance? What does it mean to fix my eyes upon Jesus?

Then there is the trepidation of the unknown. What will it cost to lay aside EVERY encumbrance? What sins will God expose? What sin has so entangled my heart that it makes it difficult to run my race?

Are you ready to begin this journey with me? I can’t promise it will be easy or even fun. But I can promise to walk along with you. Will you walk with me? We can hold one another accountable, pray for each other. We can share what we are learning.

If you are willing to join me please leave a comment so that I know to pray. You can then check back, at least weekly, to see what God is showing us through His word.

I will be listing all the post for Living Purposefully here so that it will be easier to keep track of our progress. You can leave comments here on my blog or on Facebook at Quiet Reflections.

Your first assignment? Read Hebrews chapter 1 and 2! List all you learn about Jesus then come back and share some of your favorite things about Him!

Can’t wait to hear from you!