Good morning all-
I can't believe the year is coming to a close. It just feels like yesterday that I sat down to develop this blog and to write for the very first time. I can remember what triggered it and how excited I was to be able to see what God would do in 2012. I don't believe in coincidences and when I was sad, lonely and missing my parents, I sat down to watch, "Julia and Julia." How does one sit down to watch a show and come out of it saying, "I need to start a blog for women." Interesting? Well that's exactly how it happened. I was sitting watching the story of one woman cooking her way through Julia Child's cookbook, writing her blog and then it hit me, "That's what God wants you to do." So the next morning, early, I began to try to figure out how to make a blog. It didn't take me long and the next thing I knew I was writing. I had hoped to write 365 entries but unfortunately I only make it to 272. I can live with that for this year and will try to reach my goal next year. Who knows how God will inspire me next?
The call for me didn't happen just last year. It has been pending as I thought to myself, "You're not good enough to speak on God's behalf." That is of true but I love Christ and I have a way of seeking Him that I think does benefit others. I love to pray and I love to know His word. I wish I could memorize better but that's for this year too. I am going to try to memorize Scripture. I have a recorder on my iPhone and I will play it back while I'm driving. It's good to have goals and it's good to look for ways to serve God. I hope my journey won't end on a blog. I hope to one day speak to women all over the world, I have the training and the passion to do it and of course, I have Christ. I also hope to one day write a book dedicated to the God I love so much and probably most importantly, my prayer is that women will come to know Him through my love for Him.
I realize that's a lot but then when I look at the fact that I have written 271 posts, it really doesn't seem impossible. I wonder if that's how the disciples felt while they were following Christ. Obviously, they wanted to walk with Him. The listened to Him and saw great miracles but did they think about their journey and how Christ would use them in the coming years. For He lead them, so when He left did they flounder or did they take the lessons He taught them and move forward? Well, we know they did at great cost to themselves. We know Peter denied Him, Judas died, and Paul was found on a road blind. We know that Mary and Mary Magdalene were at the tomb and we know that Thomas needed proof of the risen Savior. In each one of them, we can identify ourselves. I know that I loved Christ but once I walked away and you know what? He came looking for me. Once, I was called to do His work and I said, "I'm not worthy to do anything for Christ." Once, I felt like nothing and He met me right where I was and once, I feared the unknown and He said, "Follow me."
These themes are not unique to my situation they are part of the lives of all people that follow Christ. We are His and we make choices everyday to follow Him or stay stagnant. I have loved this year, not because I have been so blessed with everything I desire but because in my loss, Christ was there, picking me up and giving me a greater purpose. It has been a pleasure to sit at this keyboard and write about Him. My other pleasure is watching as people hit the blog, from other nations and I know that only Christ can do that. This is His blog, dedicated to Him so that women can find their faith and learn that their hope resides in Him. How do I know? Because every day I sit down to write my faith is renewed in Him. Sometimes the trials are long but when I get into Scripture and realize all the powerful testimonies that make the Bible up, I'm in awe. The people of the Bible are the same as you and me; they just lived in a different time and place. As much as scientists want to deny that Jesus lived and was resurrected they can't. The government will try to take Christ out of schools, streets and lives, but Christ stands alone. We may be a minority all around the world but we are the minority with all the answers because everything points back to Jesus.
May the new year show you Christ in a whole new way. Please pray for my ministry. I need to be lifted up and encouraged. I hope that the time you have spent on this blog has caused you to see Christ in a whole new way. I challenge you this next year to look inside yourself and see what God has in store for you. I can tell you that it will take sacrifices, it will stretch you but in the end, it's all worth it. For we are not on earth for ourselves, we are here to fulfill His purpose. May God show you that this year and may He bless this blog as I move forward in my journey with Jesus.
Happy New Year and may God bless each and every one of you. Spread the word today. If you love someone let them know by telling them the story of Christ's birth and resurrection.
1 Peter 1: 3-5 NKJV:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, if I had one thing to ask it would be that You would be revealed among the nations. This year has gone by with a blink of an eye and everywhere I look, You are missing. Not because You are but there are so many distractions that people have forgotten about You. Place on the hearts of Your warriors to pray for their nations, their cities, their families and perfect strangers. Give us Scripture to minister to the lonely, the lost, the brokenhearted. Show us our purpose as we look for You and remind all of us that this life is Yours. We thank You for dying on that cross, for giving us a reason to be here and for fulfilling the promise Your Father made to Abraham. We are part of Your chosen and we thank You everyday for sacrificing Yourself so that we can have eternal life. I am just one sinful follower, asking for Your forgiveness, and walking in Your light. You come to us and we say, "Yes." May our lives shine in this darkened world. May You protect the innocent and help all of us have the urgency to speak of You. Give us courage where we lack it and give us confidence, not in ourselves, but in You. One year is passing and another begins. I pray that this year begins with Jesus written on the hearts and minds of people all over the world. Bring forth Your soldiers and help us die to ourselves as we serve You. You are all we need in 2013 may we remember that. Thank you for this year and as it closes please help those that lost children, spouses and parents. You know who they are. Give them purpose in their loss and guide them by still waters. Those waters are what keep us a float in the sea of sadness. Lift up those that have lost money, homes and jobs. They need You this year and always. I am forever in Your debt. I didn't deserve the path You chose for my life, nor did I deserve for You to love me through all my stubbornness and yet, You did and I am blessed to call You my Father. We need You in 2013, please rain down the Holy Spirit upon the nations and bring up leaders that know You by name. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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