Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Abundant Life


Happy New Year!  I’ve always found it fitting that the new year begins right after Christmas - we end the last year with the reminder that we are immaculately loved by the Savior of the world and start the next year with a renewed sense of purpose.  That fresh starts leads us to make new commitments, resolutions, and goals for the upcoming year.

I must admit, I don’t really do resolutions. I’ve never really been a goal-oriented person. I try to constantly improve myself and not limit it to the start of every year.  When I realize something needs to change, I simply begin to make whatever adjustments are necessary to make that change happen.  Sometimes it works.  Other times…well, it’s a twenty-seven-year work-in-progress.

As I’ve watched my friends and acquaintances commit to their resolutions, I have been forced to realize that the reason I don’t do resolutions is fear.  I’m afraid of failure. Failure to complete the goal. Failure to meet the standard I set for myself.  Failure to please others or meet the standard I think they have set for me. 

But I don’t want my life to be paralyzed by fear.  Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance” (John 10:10). Based on those words, I believe that He came not only to take my fear, but also to fulfill His purpose for my life.  So, what do I do when God asks me to do something of which I’m terrified?

Run and hide.  IGod created me like this – weak, insufficient, awkward, insecure me – how could I possibly do any good work for His kingdom?

The next few posts will probably be on this topic. It’s where I’m at in my headspace right now, and I think in order to move forward, it’s the message my heart needs to absorb. Not just read it with a smile today and forget in the busy-ness of tomorrow, but really breathe in His grace.  I pray that God would stitch it into my heart so that I can break out of fear and move into my calling. 
So, hang with me!  😊

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