First, I need to ask for your mercy (if there are any of you still checking in on this thing, which is doubtful) for neglecting this space for three months. Oops. Please forgive.
As I've been reflecting on 2011 and preparing for 2012, one piece of scripture that has proven itself in the past year, and is the mindset I hope I carry with me throughout '12 is Philippians 4:4-7: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I love Paul's one word command to the Philippians -- Rejoice! Always! Looking back on the past year, there are points when I did the very opposite of rejoicing -- I grieved, worried and questioned God. Seeing the place the trials of 2011 have taken me to today makes me want to dance with joy. In the worst times that 2011 brought, I had reason to rejoice, because God was near, and was working all things for my good out of His love for me. I didn't need to worry about the curve balls thrown at me, or the direction my life was going, because I was in God's hands.
I can so identify with what Elisabeth Elliot calls God's "severe mercies." God had and has such better plans for us, as His people, than we had and have for ourselves apart from Him, and His mercies in our lives sometimes inflict pain because they tear us from the things we sinfully cling to, in order to direct us to the better plans and purposes God has for us. What a celebration, when the morning comes and we are able to see how God proved Himself faithful amid our despair and unbelief. Such a weird and amazing feeling to be able to rejoice over the very thing that once brought so much pain.
May you rejoice, trust and pray in all circumstances in 2012, knowing that your Lord is near and wants to fill you with His life and peace.
As I've been reflecting on 2011 and preparing for 2012, one piece of scripture that has proven itself in the past year, and is the mindset I hope I carry with me throughout '12 is Philippians 4:4-7: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I love Paul's one word command to the Philippians -- Rejoice! Always! Looking back on the past year, there are points when I did the very opposite of rejoicing -- I grieved, worried and questioned God. Seeing the place the trials of 2011 have taken me to today makes me want to dance with joy. In the worst times that 2011 brought, I had reason to rejoice, because God was near, and was working all things for my good out of His love for me. I didn't need to worry about the curve balls thrown at me, or the direction my life was going, because I was in God's hands.
I can so identify with what Elisabeth Elliot calls God's "severe mercies." God had and has such better plans for us, as His people, than we had and have for ourselves apart from Him, and His mercies in our lives sometimes inflict pain because they tear us from the things we sinfully cling to, in order to direct us to the better plans and purposes God has for us. What a celebration, when the morning comes and we are able to see how God proved Himself faithful amid our despair and unbelief. Such a weird and amazing feeling to be able to rejoice over the very thing that once brought so much pain.
May you rejoice, trust and pray in all circumstances in 2012, knowing that your Lord is near and wants to fill you with His life and peace.
