I saw this saying on a church sign yesterday: "To have a new start, ask God for a new heart." Truer words were never spoken.
I've been busy the last few days taking down Christmas decorations, which inevitably leads to organizing and cleaning. It's refreshing to create new spaces or looks in my home simply by moving things around or adding little accents here and there. I think I have a tendency to do the same in my life. Sometimes I feel like if I move this or that around or add something here, maybe a cute bracelet, then things will feel fresh and new. And it works for a while. But invariably, that "new" feeling fades and I'm back feeling like I'm stuck in the mud spinning my wheels furiously trying to move forward. I'm tired of doing that. I will be 35 in less than a week and I'm tired of false starts and putting bandaids on things. I have a lot in my life I'd like to change. I'd like to be a better cook, be better at creating an inviting space for my family to live in. I'd like to work out more and lose all this weight I've put on. I want to read my Bible more, be a better wife, be a better person in general. I have read lots of blog posts over the last couple of days and many people are creating resolutions, but many are leaving resolution making behind and instead just seeking to serve God and become more Christlike leaving the results to Him. I feel like Christ is leading many of us in this same direction. I, too, feel led to simply seek Christ in 2013. I don't want to create a long list of things I'd like to accomplish and ask Him to bless my efforts. Instead, He has impressed upon my heart to simply seek Him. Not all of the ways I want Him to change me or all of the things I'd like Him to give me the heart and perserverance to accomplish. Jesus instructs us to seek first the Kingdom of God. And God promises to add all "these things" to us in return. These things should not be our focus, however. Our focus and desire should be to know Christ more, live in the power of His resurrection, and live in the plan that He creates for our lives. That, my friends, is no easy feat. I know full well that I can only live that out by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is my prayer and my aspiration for this year. To seek the face of Christ. I believe in His character and am assured that He will add whatever I need in return.
Happy New Year! I pray you are all blessed in the days to come.
Tracy
