“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? —Isaiah 43:18-19
What did I expect? 2019 has turned out a lot differently than how I had expected it would. But honestly, it always does—every year. Why does that always happen? Despite my best laid plans, there’s so much left undone, unfinished, and unaccounted for. Unbelievable!
I can’t remember last year’s resolutions, but generally its the same every year. I usually resolve to continue to be healthier with diet and exercise, be more organized at home and work. And added to that list is to be more productive and actually get all if not some of the incomplete projects completed. I’ll strive to be pro-active instead of reactive with time management, financial management, and patience. Patience is usually the first to go.
I am goal oriented; I like the bar set pretty high. Maybe I should rethink these resolutions and make them goals instead—treat it like a job. Most people say they don’t make resolutions because they break them anyway—but goals… maybe that’s the approach.
Goals
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” —Romans 8:28
I’m enjoying the lull between Christmas and New Year’s. I’m resting up after the crazy flurry of activity these past weeks, actually months, which has left me wiped out. But those goals on the near horizon are beckoning me. The drive inside of me wants to identify and solidify those goals—on your mark: start tackling them—get set: before the New Year actually begins—GO!
Last year I missed the mark. I don’t want to just go through the motions, to ultimately lose steam before I gain momentum. God has been preparing me as He did Joshua at the foot of the fast flowing Jordan. I have this innate sense that He always does—prepare me—for what He has called me to do. But I am afraid, afraid that it will all turn out as it always does—unfulfilled. I hear His voice loud and clear despite the residual ringing in my ears from the noise of Christmas. The beautiful sights and sounds turned into static.
God is beckoning me though. His still small voice is whispering to me.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9
I need to listen to what God told Joshua about 3,400 years ago. What is on my immediate horizon is not monumental as it was for Joshua; He was about to lead God's people into the promised land, and he had reason to be afraid. He had an enormous task ahead of him, and he was well aware of the dangers that he and the people would soon be facing. He needed God's encouragement. God’s Words are timeless. His message is universal; it’s a message of encouragement. He told Joshua, and now He tells me, “Be strong and courageous.”
Whether we verbalize it or not, a new year brings lots of big questions: Will I remain healthy? Will our marriage stay strong? Will my job remain stable? Will I (or my kids) get into the right school? Will I live to see the end of this year? Will there be an accident or some natural disaster that takes me or my loved ones? God, who created us and loves us comes to us and says, "Don't be afraid; don't be discouraged." What happens in this coming year is not left to chance. God is in charge, and he promises to stay close: "The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Life can be messy. Our thoughts, that mental chatter, often gets messy. Circumstances that seem out of our control are frustratingly messy. But in spite of it all, God meets us right where we are, even (and especially) in our messes. Is it coincidence that God’s first words in the beginning of the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, are, “I have loved you.” God came to free us from ourselves. It’s a beautiful story; He pursues us all for the sake of love. And what’s more is that we see His grace more clearly when we are at our worst: when we mess up, when we’re down, and when we let others down. This is also true when when can’t keep our New Year’s resolutions and when we can’t even remember them. Our plans are fallible. But, God specifically tells us that He will fulfill His purpose for us. “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love O Lord, endures forever.” —Psalm 138-8
We recently studied the book of Malachi at Messiah. Malachi means messenger. He was the messenger of the covenant God made with His people. God reminded the Israelites how much He loved them despite their lukewarm faith. Faith, it is the substance of things hoped for. Faith is what it took for Joshua and the priests to step into to swiftly flowing Jordan. Faith receded the waters and led them to freedom. Faith makes defining moments.
What is it we are hoping to accomplish this new year? How can I make defining moments that have a lasting impact?
Rethinking It
The goals I set for myself every year are not bad; I will not change them. More importantly though, is priority. My new New Year’s Resolution is to use every moment faithfully making the most of every opportunity. I will be strong and courageous as I pursue God’s will for my life, His purpose for me. I will intentionally make defining moments by being an imitator of Jesus and making Him known. I won’t cling to the fire of the trials of the past year—I will forget all that; I will instead be refined as pure silver until I am made new and reflect back to others the image of Christ (the refiner).
It is God who calls us and invites us—a people who are willing to put their foot in the water before it recedes. God will not send us anywhere that He has not been. He is preparing the way. When God calls us, we can be encouraged that it is not the outcome that matters most. That is not to say outcome doesn’t matter—what matters most is faithfulness. We need be faithful to God, Who is always faithful to us.
Did I really miss the mark last year? Sometimes we cannot see things for what they are, for what God is doing. He has marked me as His own. There are those unfinished projects, and there were several messy moments, but God isn’t finished with me yet. My faith is far from lukewarm, I’m on fire and Jesus is the refiner. He’s making me new every day, and He’s using the trials, fires, and messes in this life (this year) to fulfill His purpose—to do something new!
“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? —Isaiah 43:18-19
Note: If you attend Messiah a great deal of what I have written in this devotion will sound familiar. I am a note taker and the sermon series this past year led by Pastors John and Dustin have left an impact. Thank You, Pastors!
