Resting or Starting New?

Last week, Liz wrote about January and resolving to do things differently. It’s a new year, and I’m going to create a new me.

I’ve had a couple of thoughts knocking around in my head. (I know, that’s a dangerous neighborhood; I shouldn’t be there alone. SO thankful that the Holy Spirit is always with me!)

• People Must Know (From the pilot episode of The Chosen)
• Do I believe IN God, or do I BELIEVE God?
• January is the beginning of the calendar, but it’s winter when we rest and prepare for renewal in the spring.

In 2021, the sermon series challenged us all to look at the Saints who came before us (Hebrews 11, By Faith), the obstacles that stand between us and God (Hebrews 12-13, Run Free), and what we are called to as disciples of Jesus (2 Timothy, Entrusted). 

When I attended the viewing of Christmas with The Chosen, the shepherd’s words from the pilot episode struck a chord within me. “People must know.” They must know that the savior of the world came to live among us. He grew, laughed, struggled, was happy, angry, sad, and frustrated at times. That God The Son experienced every aspect of being human. Including separation from God the Father due to sin and rebellion. His life, death, and resurrection provide a path to salvation, peace, and healing. 

People must know the story of Jesus in MY life. He carried me through the death of my father. How he rejoiced at my salvation. Led me through the desert of divorce and into the green pastures of healing. He has pruned the dead branches and the “suckers” from the tree of my life that steal joy and contentment. How my spiritual and emotional health has been restored and strengthened through that pruning. 

I’ve been meditating on what I am doing to tell that story. It’s still in process. I’ll let you know when it becomes more evident. 

As for BELIEVING God….whoa! That one really hit me several years ago, and it continues to cycle through my head periodically. While working through a Beth Moore study by that title, I was challenged to focus on the promises of scripture. Specifically, whether I was giving them lip service or had embedded those promises in my heart. I continue to pray scripture over people in my life. I have a verse for each of my kids (young adults now) that I pray using their names and personalizing. My personal verse is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future.” My prayer often sounds like this, “Lord, I know that Your plans are good, that they will never harm me, and will always give me hope and a future. I don’t understand what is happening now. Help me to see your light and your plan.” OR “Lord, you have promised me life with hope and prosperity. I give this victory to You, for I know it is part of Your plan.” I often pray scripture when I simply don’t have the words to express my feelings or struggle with acceptance or understanding. Scripture shifts my focus from right now to eternity. 

Finally, while listening to an outdoors podcast, the guest talked about January being more of a transition time than a beginning. She spoke of the cold, barren character of winter. How animals hibernate and trees go dormant as a time of replenishing. This started me thinking about the Christin Liturgical calendar. The “new year” begins with Lent, an 8-week time of preparation before Easter and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. How would my life look different if I take this “rest” time to reflect on my life and set my “new me” goals starting in the spring with the resurrection and the rebirth of life? The gym would definitely not be as busy! 

This is another area that I am still simmering on. Look for more thoughts in future postings. 

Let me know what you are meditating on. 

How are you telling your story? Are you starting new in January or resting until spring?