2022 has been filled with challenges and blessings. While I try to focus on the blessings, giving thanks for them all, I'm also asking God to show me the lessons in the challenges because He wastes nothing.
"I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Jeremiah 29:10-11 MSG)
With 2022 ending it's a good time to reflect on where I am and where I'm going. I want to hear the heart of God for this season of my life, don't you? I want to be in sync with Him.
"Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil." (Proverbs 4:25-27 AMPC)
There are some things I've been doing that will remain in 2022 so I can have room for what God wants to do for me, in me, and through me, in 2023. Letting go won't be easy but it's necessary. I can't move forward looking backward.
Some questions to think about to help us move forward:
Have you thought about what might need to be changed or refined in your life?
Have you thought about what worked well and what didn't?
Are you ready to embrace the new thing that God may want to do in your life in 2023?
Are you ready to let go of some people, places, and things to allow God to introduce you to new people, places, and things?
One thing I realize is I really want 2023 to look different. I want to be more productive. I want to influence more people for the Kingdom of God. I really want to be more intentional about how I do ministry and how I serve others. In preparation for this I must let go of some people, places, things, mindsets, beliefs about what should be, what I want, and embrace what God is doing, what He wants.
In preparation for 2023 I'm starting to reflect intently on this Scripture:
"Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19 AMPC)
"You'll never know what will happen if you open up space for something new." (From A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love)
I'm going to take the time and space I need to hear God's voice and get clear direction for my next step, for the new He has for me. What about you? Sometimes you just have to be still and reassess and assess what worked and what didn't. And sometimes what may seem like a step backwards is really a step forward.
I'm reminded I'm not in control. I don't have to try to figure anything out. I just need to seek God and rest in Him because He has already worked it out.
I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!” (Psalms 32:8-9 TPT)
2023 will be a year of surrender to what God wants for my life. A year of not my will but His will be done, no matter the cost. Will I always get it right? No, but with Holy Spirit's help I will continue pressing toward His mark and my calling, for His glory!
Abba Father, hear my hearts cry:
"Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10 AMPC)
Be Encouraged! ❤
(Updated From the Vault of LWM)