A new year has recently begun. I like New Year's. Even though life and time are still continuous, simply flowing from minute 23:59:59 in 2012, to minute 01:00:00 in 2013, and somewhere in there we draw a line. As in a book, one chapter ends and a new one begins, but the previous chapters all the while still remaining relevant and influencing the one to come.
People are generally happier at the beginning of the year (at least the first couple days), which I LOVE :) We reflect on what's passed, and have hope for what this year may hold in store for us.
I've never really been one to make resolutions, but God's been tugging on my heart to make some changes in my life--a renewal of heart and mind. In Romans we're reminded, "No longer conform to the patterns of this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."
So I've been praying for God to reveal the areas in which He sees that these transformations need to take place in me. Starting now, with this new year, what do I need to be doing to be continually moving toward the woman God is molding and shaping me to be? In the last week or so, in the midst of my regular every day life, I've heard His still, small voice. There's been two major areas that have repeatedly been brought to the forefront of my heart and mind--love and intentionality.
Love--
I have some amazing examples of this in my life. People who've shown me what it looks like to love purely, genuinely, and unconditionally. I want to be better at this. I am so quick to judge people and feel that, somehow, I am above them. I need to get into the Word and first understand God's love for me, before I will truly be able to love others. But I can start by simply opening myself up to people. By being willing to meet people wherever they're at. To listen to their story, to lift them up, to encourage them; even when it feels uncomfortable--even if it's not a convenient time for me--even if I know I won't be getting anything from them in return. Because that's at the root of what love is...it's putting someone else's well-being above my own. And that's what I need to be better at.
Intentionality--
Just this morning I started a new Jillian Michaels workout dvd (which kicked my butt), and she said something really good--"Transformation isn't a future event...it is a present action." And while, yes, she was talking about a change in physical health, I thought it was so appropriate and such an awesome motivator for these changes I've had on my heart to make. Especially intentionality, which is 100% self-driven action....intentionality is acting with purpose. Even if my purpose is to relax, it's doing things in a way in which my heart, mind, soul are a part of the process.
I want greater intentionality in:
...my relationship with Christ...
Right now my goal is simply to spend some deliberate quiet time with God each day, to fill more of my average days throughout the week with Him. I've been starting my mornings reading a couple short daily devotionals, which direct my reading and focus (they're ordered by date making it easy to stay on track). I've also been filling my day with more Christian music and less mainstream. It's AMAZING what a difference this makes. We think that it doesn't effect us, that we're just listening to the beat, blah blah blah....that's bologna. It effects the way we think, the things we say, how we look at others, etc. Even though not every Christian song is my favorite (I'm all for skipping to the next one on Pandora), it's important that we realize and take responsibility for the fact that what we watch and listen to truly effects the condition of our hearts. And even the simple adjustment of switching to the Christian station more often throughout the day, has made a great difference.
...my relationships with others...
As I've shared before, making new friends isn't the easiest thing in the world for me; but that aside, I have been blessed with some of the most amazing friends, and a better family than I could have ever dreamed up. I already have these relationships, and I felt God asking "what are you doing to maintain these?" Because relationships are work, they take deliberate action, and have to be maintained from both sides. But they are 100% worth it. And they add such beauty and joy to our lives. It's always so disheartening when I hear about someone who's had a friend who kind of just fell off the grid. A friendship that goes from 60 to 0 in no time at all. But I can't overlook the fact that this could just as easily be one of my relationships. I need to be willing to be the one who makes the first move, who calls someone up, who takes the initiative. Because if we were all waiting for someone else, it would all just dissolve right before our eyes. And what a tragedy it is to see the most beautiful gifts God's given us as people--the ability to be in relation with others--disappear from our lives simply because we didn't take the time to be intentional about it.
...my time...
This is not very easy for me. And the more things I have going and the more disciplined I need to be with my time, the harder it is for me to do. I need to find a healthy balance between school, my job, church, small group, etc. I need to be sure that my daily time with God doesn't get cut out, and that my relationships don't begin to suffer. I need to utilize my love for to-do lists and schedules, tone down my love for social networking and Pinterest :), and use everyday moments for something purposeful. And even on those days when it seems like there is just too much to do and not enough time, I will be comforted by the fact that like everything piece of history, this too shall pass. I'll get through it regardless, but how I do so is the question.
My overall goal: to do it all these things with a little grace and a lot of integrity; with an ability to laugh and to not take myself or life too seriously; and for the condition of my heart to be pleasing to the Lord.
♥ C
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