Happy New Year! It is so hard to believe that 2024 is officially here. Where have the last four years gone?
I have stopped creating resolutions in the new year. I’m learning to lean into the seasons that God has given us. A season where we pull inward and rest seems like a really terrible time to set huge, lofty goals. Perhaps if we set goals in the Spring, we would have much more success!
I also haven’t picked a “word” for my year in quite some time. However, some time before Christmas, the Lord put the word delight in front of me. I knew instantly that it needed to be my focus, but not one that I wanted until January 1 for. I needed to start immediately.
You see, I have been holding onto a lot of frustration and bitterness. I’ve been so discontent. Almost 7 years ago, when the door to ministry was slammed shut in our face, we moved back to Illinois because we didn’t have much other choice. No job opportunities were opening up where we lived in Oklahoma, and our finances wouldn’t allow us to stay and pay bills indefinitely with no income. So, back “home” with our tails between our legs we came. We thought it would be temporary, and here we still are. I do not like Illinois and never wanted to live in this state again once I got out after high school. There was also a lot of hurt over the lies and deception that had taken place. I’ve still been hanging on to a lot of that anger. Pair that with the people that have been judgmental and assuming that WE walked away from ministry and that we aren’t actively living what the Lord’s will for our lives is… it’s a recipe for bitterness.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 34:7
My delight needs to come from the LORD. My delight does not com from what other people think of me. It doesn’t come from living in the perfect place. It won’t come from family or friends. It needs to come from HIM and him alone.
This will be the year that my eyes stay focused on Him. He will guide our path, as He always has. God wants my good. He is for me and loves me beyond what my mind can comprehend. I can rest in that knowledge and know that if we are here for the rest of our lives, it is because He willed it.
I can see the blessings of what has transpired over the last 10 or so years. Time allows you the gift of hindsight. I can see how much the Lord has given us. Imagine how much more would have come from it if I had let go of the weight of the chains I’ve hung on to. How much more would come from your life if you let them go?
Seek the Lord this year. I pray His blessings over your life in 2024.
‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
Numbers 6:24-26