New beginnings aren’t limited to January 1st. It’s a good thing, too, ’cause chaos has already crashed my New Year’s dreams, and I haven’t turned the first page of my fresh calendar.
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Sometimes it’s my own fault, I don’t always manage my life well. I get sidetracked by an omnipresent swarm of “should do’s” and often succumb to their venomous hum . . . until December when the “didn’t do’s” buzz in to replace them . . .
But this year was supposed to be different. I had approached January prayerfully and arranged my time and priorities with diligent care. Following God’s lead I made some painful, pruning cuts to hone my focus. More God. Less me. I did all the “right” things before taking a joyful leap into 2015–only to splat like a bug against a windshield.
And I’m still being scraped off the glass.
Perhaps you too, have suffered a false start to your new year. Maybe your joy has been hijacked and your plans scrapped.
What if we had a chance to resurrect our hope for a “new year”? What if this time we didn’t give up? What if this year we refused to belt ourselves in for another zipline-ride of last year’s hustle?
Let’s brush ourselves off, look up, and re-imagine the possibilities:
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“What if I step out of the way and trust God to handle this challenge?”
“What if I cooperate with the God-controlled-flow of my circumstances instead of fighting to change what I cannot?
“What if I view my constraining circumstances as God’s appointments– whether placed or allowed–to fulfill His purposes for me and those I love?
“What if I stick to God’s call instead of caving to the pressure of ‘should do’?”
“What if I persevere on God’s new path for me despite all the opposition?
What if this year I let God grow my faith, instead of trying to “grow” it myself?
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What if?
Just think of all the powerful possibilities!
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20 -21 (Emphasis mine)
“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'” Isaiah 55:8-9 (Emphasis mine)
With our God of hope anything is possible. Anything. Even scaling the wall you face today. (Jeremiah 32:17)
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So what if this year
we lived like we believe God’s promises are true?
“And Jesus said to him, ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.'” Mark 9:23
And:
“The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.” Isaiah 14:24
And the result:
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45
What if?
Comments 6
This is exactly what I needed right now! I’m trying to truly live in God’s will and be content with His purpose and plan.
I’m so glad it encouraged you. It’s never too late live in God’s will! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
These “what if’s” are inspiring and challenging. Made me ask a few difficult questions. Good thing I went ahead and took a step of faith and registered for a certain writer’s conference instead of believing a lie. I have to say though that you’re descriptions gave me quite the laugh. I could “hear” you saying those things! Good post!
Yes, why is it that the lies ring louder than the truths we know so well? So glad you went ahead and registered for that conference; it’s never to late to “resurrect hope” each year. 🙂
Love your “What if”s. A great perspective changer and challenge. Thanks.
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Thanks, Kris, I hope you were encouraged. 🙂