I just read a New Year’s newsletter, and in it was written, “This will not follow me into the New Year.”That sentence popped for me, especially in thinking in terms of New Year’s resolutions. Instead of being in the new year and seeing some old kink in my life, a bad habit or sin I have to overcome, my “this” can be left behind. In a very intentional way, it no longer has to be a part of my thinking or life as I move into a new year.
I think of the Live Free series I wrote over the last few years, it’s basic call to live free. How crucial it is to consider what pulls us down and keeps us from living fully free as God intended. Added to that concept, a verse I grabbed a hold of in a new way during this year is John 10:10: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (NIV).
Life. God calls us to live it abundantly. In Greek that word is not bios—a simple physical, biological existence—but zoe. God invites us to a full-on thrust toward a passionate life.
Live freely. Live fully.
Couched in God’s purposes for my life and trusting his work within me, these two simple statements have become my passion and a part of my mission statement in what I do in life and ministry.
So the other side of my prayer-filled determination to not allow “this” to follow me into the New year, is bringing what I know fosters freedom and fullness with me into the New Year.
I’m picturing standing at a doorway. One side is 2009 and the other is 2010. I can’t stay in 2009. God created me, you, all of us, to be forward moving, not only in time, but in growth. I must go through the door. When I do, I can close it behind me and step into the New Year. No going back. With God's strength and life pulsing through me because I walk in trust in him, I can leave behind the old and step into greater freedom and fullness.
So over the next few days, I’m making lists.
This will not follow me into the New Year.
This will follow me into the New Year.
What will be on your lists? Girl talk time! (Though as usual, guys are welcome to join in the conversation too!)
Jan
http://www.jankern.com/
http://choose2livefree.com/
Live freely. Live fully.
Couched in God’s purposes for my life and trusting his work within me, these two simple statements have become my passion and a part of my mission statement in what I do in life and ministry.
So the other side of my prayer-filled determination to not allow “this” to follow me into the New year, is bringing what I know fosters freedom and fullness with me into the New Year.
I’m picturing standing at a doorway. One side is 2009 and the other is 2010. I can’t stay in 2009. God created me, you, all of us, to be forward moving, not only in time, but in growth. I must go through the door. When I do, I can close it behind me and step into the New Year. No going back. With God's strength and life pulsing through me because I walk in trust in him, I can leave behind the old and step into greater freedom and fullness.
So over the next few days, I’m making lists.
This will not follow me into the New Year.
This will follow me into the New Year.
What will be on your lists? Girl talk time! (Though as usual, guys are welcome to join in the conversation too!)
Jan
http://www.jankern.com/
http://choose2livefree.com/
6 comments:
My friends will follow me into 2010. (Or, it would be preffered that we walk in side by side)
...I'm definitely gonna make a list. Thanks for the great post!:)
Luv,Emii
Good friends side by side into 2010--definitely makes my list too!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Emii. Let me know what else makes your list!
Jan
ohh i like this. i will start thinking about my list too
Great post! This reminds me of a presentation I'm preparing for our ladies @ church - Paul talks about putting off certain things (attitudes, etc.)and putting on other things. My goal is to be clothed with God's armor - the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, feet shod with the gospel of peace, carrying the sword of the spirit and the shield of faith!
Blessings to you in the new year, Jan!
Yes, Maria! Those are wonderful verses. Putting off the old and putting on the new is especially so applicable.
Scripture--yes, include scripture in your list making! It will keep it grounded and meaningful for you!
Feel free to share those here too!
Also. . .
I noticed this while I was working on my lists last night . . .
I listed things that sounded good and were fully my heart, but I realized I needed to get really specific in how each 'intention' on my list would become a reality.
I'm praying through how God wants me to be involved in each item on my list--what action steps I need to take!
Otherwise, knowing me, my list will quickly become a nice activity I did in 2009 and a forgotten on in 2010.
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