Christ in the Clouds: 01/03/15

Saturday, January 3, 2015

2015 - The Seasons of Life

Another year has begun and I find myself reading many posts of other bloggers who have chosen different ways to prepare their hearts for the new year. Some used the same old plan..choose a word...set goals...plan to make certain changes. Others have been quite unique and different. I personally have found it a challenge to do any specific planning or goal-setting. I think that may have to do with how things went for me in 2014. Nothing seemed to go as hoped or planned. Even the word I chose for the year, "fervent" seemed to fade from my focus about halfway through the year. If I learned anything last year, it was that God is in control and He will take us where He wants to take us. I learned that prayer is vital, but not to just get what I want or ask for, but more to help me grow in my relationship with Him. I learned that life is really a journey and as long as we let the Lord be our Navigator, we will be o.k., even along the bumpy, curved, chuck-hole paths. I learned that there is joy in the journey, but we have to be aware of and not miss those "joy" moments....being grateful for the small things, instead of just waiting for the big things to happen. Each season of our lives takes us down different roads...some are much more difficult than others, and sometimes we make unwise choices, because of our own selfish desires. But God is faithful and true! We can always trust in His promises to us.

This year, I'm not choosing just "one word" for the whole year! I'm choosing many words (and verses) that will help navigate me where I am able to focus during different seasons of my life (not literal seasons of the year.)

Winter - A time to rest and wait and listen
Contemplate; ponder; treasure up

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord. (Psalm 107:43)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.(Matt. 11:28)

Spring - A time to start fresh and anew
Renewed;
in attitude of mind (Eph. 4:23; Ro 12:1-3);
as a new creation, in knowledge (Galatians 6:15);
renewed like an eagle (Psa. 103:5);
in strength (Is. 40:31);
day by day...

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.(2 Corinthians 4:16)

Summer - A time of hardship, loss, lonliness, and drought
Thirst;
In soul/spirit (to thirst after God.)

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.(Matthew 5:6)

Isaiah 26:9; Psalm 73:25 Psalm 63:1, Psalm 107:9, Revelation 22:17

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:2)

Autumn - A time to seek after Him
A time to seek;

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.(Deuteronomy 4:29)

1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 14:2, Psalm 34:14, Psalm 63:1. Lamentations 3:25, Matthew 6:33

May the Lord also guide you and be your purpose in each and every season of this year and all of your life!!