Resolved

We are so blessed at the Church @ the Springs to have an awesome group of people who write eDevotions which you can sign up to receive every day. I feel like I have come to know each of these people through their transparency as they share what God is teaching them. My all-time favorite devotion was written at the beginning of this year by Becky Moews, the wife of our Missions and Ministries pastor. I asked for and received her permission to share it here.

Resolved . . .

Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." (NIV)

I used to feel pretty defeated every year about this time. A few hours into the new year and already I would have failed at my attempts to keep my New Year's Resolution. So for the last few years, instead of making a New Year's resolution, I have asked God to make one to me. He never lets me down.

I start praying around mid-November, asking God to reveal to me what it is He wants to teach me for the following year. He always gives me a principle, or a godly character, or a benefit from Him that He desires to extend to my life. In our family the resulting topic is affectionately known as my "word of the year". And no matter what God wants to teach me in any given year, He has always carried the learning through to the very end of the year. I can never forget what it is I am learning. I can never simply turn away from it, or decide that I am not going to do it anymore, or fail miserably. Why? Because it is not up to me. It is up to God. And He sees it through.

A few weeks ago God gave me "satisfaction" as my "word of the year". I will take the verse above this year, and expect to see God do great things as He teaches me about being satisfied. I am looking forward to learning how to be satisfied in Christ and what true satisfaction really is. I know from past years that He will not leave me hanging a few hours or a few days or even a few months into the new year. I cannot tell you how incredibly satisfying it has been in the past several years to see Him carry this through. It is one of the most rewarding things in my life in any given year.

Last year about this time I was still fighting with God on the topic for 2006. He had given me two - perseverance and another one. I wanted the other one and God wanted perseverance. I gave in and now I can't even remember what the other one was. I can tell you this - perseverance still would not be my choice. It was a tough year, but God stuck with me and I learned a lot. I am glad for perseverance. Galatians 6:9 taught me not to become weary, and in so doing I have been reaping a wonderful harvest. Just the same, I am glad to move on to something else. Learning not to become weary has been exhausting!

In 2005 Philippians 4:6 was my verse as I sought God's teaching on peace. Early in January I learned an important lesson about peace - peace only comes as a result of God's presence. It was a wonderful lesson, and one that I enjoyed practicing over and over all year long. As in every year, the lessons never stopped.

2004 was all about His faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-24 were my verses. That year was not without trials. I learned that God's faithfulness does not always mean He will remove a trial. Sometimes it means He wants me to go through a trial, and hold on to Him as He journeys closely with me. The trials of that year proved God's faithfulness beyond measure. And my journal reflects chapter after chapter of His teachings in that fruitful year.

So this year I expect to be satisfied. Satisfaction sounds pretty warm and cozy to me. But I'm sure God has more in mind than a full tummy, a full house, and a full heart. This year will likely have its share of trials. But the benefits of God's resolve for me will far outweigh the guilt of blowing that New Year's resolution shortly after midnight.

Becky Moews
2007 Church @ The Springs
Ocala, FL

I kept it in my Inbox all year because I wanted to do this myself. Well, 2007 sped by and I didn't stop to ask God what He would have me do. But now, I am seeking a "word" for 2008, and what I am hearing for now is "rest". I know this is going to go far beyond physical rest (which I need) to mental rest, trust, etc. (which I am NOT good at). Here is the first verse I've found on this topic:

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure." Psalm 16:8-9

Stay tuned!