Control of MY Year
Scripture from Philippians 1:12-30
In verse 14, Paul's actions prompt others to be encouraged to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Verses 15 & 16 direct us to preach Christ out of goodwill and love.
Verses 19 & 20 remind us that through prayer the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Christ will be exalted in our bodies, at any and all costs. (These costs range from life all the way to death. The whole spectrum here, people.)
Okay my friend. Here's the deal-io. It is a new year. There are people asking about new year's resolutions and setting new goals. I didn't really sit down to do that. I believe that life is about growth and new goals and resolutions... not just during new years. So, I have decided to put my heart out of my own hands in this season of life. Finally.
Here's what I mean by that. I have noticed in myself that I love to have everything planned out, in order, with no unwanted surprises. Bottom line, I like to have control. That includes control over my feelings, emotions, interpersonal interactions, my schedule, my home, my studies, my work... I could go on and on! While having things planned out is not a bad thing (after all, God is a God of order), obsessing over having it my way can easily slide into an unhealthy balance.
One verse that has been coming up a lot in my life is 1 Corinthians 6:12:
"Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power allowing it to control me]."
I need God. Plain and simple! I am so done, SO DONE with trying to strive on my own! God allows us to choose a lifestyle of trust just as much as he allows us a lifestyle of freaking out all the time. It is permissible for me to continue being my own little micro-managing control freak. Yup, I could do it for another decade if I really wanted to. BUT LET ME BE HONEST WITH YOU: It wears me out! We were made to rest in His everlasting arms, trusting Him! God tends to our every single need. He always has, and since He is constant, we do not need to fret.
Easier said than done, right? Well, that's my struggle too. You are most certainly not alone in that battle. But you know what else? While I have experienced days of complete and utter chaos, I have also experienced days of complete and utter peace. You see, it is all about our eyes; we walk towards what we focus sights on.
That's where Philippians 1:12-30 comes in!
Look to Christ. I want you to meditate with me here and just close your eyes. Imagine looking into Christ's eyes. Tell him what you are so worried about. Everything that scares you. Be vulnerable and let Him look straight back into your eyes with all the Love of the world (and then some). Breathe Him in.
I know that it can be difficult to be loved by a God who seems so big and majestic- and He is. But He also craves a closeness to us. He wants to walk with us.
He wants to lead us to live in a way that encourages others to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly. How great would it be for YOUR LIFE to be an inspiration for people to be courageous, to be fearless!! That their first impressions of Christ through your life would be soaked in the aroma of goodwill and of love!
In this season of life, I am going to try open up my heart to God more. I want to be intentional about acknowledging that I need the Spirit of Christ each and every single day. I want to truly fix my eyes of Christ, the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2), so that I will walk toward a life with a focus on Jesus. Pray for me! Comment if you'd like me to pray for you too, and I will. :) We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are not alone in this!
May Christ be in control of our year, not us. May we preach Christ with our life and our actions and our words, out of goodwill and out of love. May our actions, as led by the Spirit, lead others to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly. And through the prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ may our Lord Jesus be exalted- no matter the costs.
Shine On,
Mel
In verse 14, Paul's actions prompt others to be encouraged to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Verses 15 & 16 direct us to preach Christ out of goodwill and love.
Verses 19 & 20 remind us that through prayer the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Christ will be exalted in our bodies, at any and all costs. (These costs range from life all the way to death. The whole spectrum here, people.)
Okay my friend. Here's the deal-io. It is a new year. There are people asking about new year's resolutions and setting new goals. I didn't really sit down to do that. I believe that life is about growth and new goals and resolutions... not just during new years. So, I have decided to put my heart out of my own hands in this season of life. Finally.
Here's what I mean by that. I have noticed in myself that I love to have everything planned out, in order, with no unwanted surprises. Bottom line, I like to have control. That includes control over my feelings, emotions, interpersonal interactions, my schedule, my home, my studies, my work... I could go on and on! While having things planned out is not a bad thing (after all, God is a God of order), obsessing over having it my way can easily slide into an unhealthy balance.
One verse that has been coming up a lot in my life is 1 Corinthians 6:12:
"Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power allowing it to control me]."
I need God. Plain and simple! I am so done, SO DONE with trying to strive on my own! God allows us to choose a lifestyle of trust just as much as he allows us a lifestyle of freaking out all the time. It is permissible for me to continue being my own little micro-managing control freak. Yup, I could do it for another decade if I really wanted to. BUT LET ME BE HONEST WITH YOU: It wears me out! We were made to rest in His everlasting arms, trusting Him! God tends to our every single need. He always has, and since He is constant, we do not need to fret.
Easier said than done, right? Well, that's my struggle too. You are most certainly not alone in that battle. But you know what else? While I have experienced days of complete and utter chaos, I have also experienced days of complete and utter peace. You see, it is all about our eyes; we walk towards what we focus sights on.
That's where Philippians 1:12-30 comes in!
Look to Christ. I want you to meditate with me here and just close your eyes. Imagine looking into Christ's eyes. Tell him what you are so worried about. Everything that scares you. Be vulnerable and let Him look straight back into your eyes with all the Love of the world (and then some). Breathe Him in.
I know that it can be difficult to be loved by a God who seems so big and majestic- and He is. But He also craves a closeness to us. He wants to walk with us.
He wants to lead us to live in a way that encourages others to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly. How great would it be for YOUR LIFE to be an inspiration for people to be courageous, to be fearless!! That their first impressions of Christ through your life would be soaked in the aroma of goodwill and of love!
In this season of life, I am going to try open up my heart to God more. I want to be intentional about acknowledging that I need the Spirit of Christ each and every single day. I want to truly fix my eyes of Christ, the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2), so that I will walk toward a life with a focus on Jesus. Pray for me! Comment if you'd like me to pray for you too, and I will. :) We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are not alone in this!
May Christ be in control of our year, not us. May we preach Christ with our life and our actions and our words, out of goodwill and out of love. May our actions, as led by the Spirit, lead others to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly. And through the prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ may our Lord Jesus be exalted- no matter the costs.
Shine On,
Mel
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