"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
I love this verse. I like knowing that I can be made new. I am not a big fan of change. I am learning to roll with it, but I admit I am a routine kind of gal. However, I like knowing that I can be made new in my Savior. When I brake, I am made new. When I make a mistake, I am made new. When I head down the wrong path, I am made new. When I make good wise choice, I am still made new; rejuvenated. As we head into 2015, I am finding joy in the new. There's so much hope and potential in a new year. The only way I can walk into this new year filled with expectancy is by looking back and remembering how I got to this place.
Three words come to mind when I look back at 2014: rest, confidence, and expectancy. Last year was a year of rest for me. You know how you have those years where it seems like trial after trial continues to hit? I've had those years before. This year, however, was different. God opened opportunities of rest in my life and I was ready. I was able to slow down and reflect. I had time to spend with Him discovering who I am in my mid-thirties and where I want to go from here. I have learned so much in this season of rest. I still don't have all the answers and am still learning how to truly stop and rest in Him, but I am getting there. I have thoroughly enjoyed this time of rest. It has helped me process, discover, and find myself. I know that this rest is preparing me for something new and great which excites me to no end. I will always cherish the rest He has given me.
The next word that comes to mind is confidence. I am a searcher. I am always looking for something: a new me, something to challenge me, a new goal, a new way to eat, a different way to place the furniture, a better way to parent, etc. Sometimes, through my searching, I lose myself and place my confidence in everything and everyone but the very thing I should: God. This year I realized that my confidence is in Him and Him alone. Nothing can truly satisfy my soul like Him. I can look here, there, and everywhere to gain confidence and security and still feel empty. This year I discovered that my confidence rests in Him. I have experienced such freedom in knowing, believing, and resting in my confidence in Him. "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12
Lastly, the word expectancy comes to mind as I review 2014. I went to school to be an elementary school teacher. I even went back and got my Masters in Education. I have always worked with kids as long as I can remember. It's just what I have always done. This past year I felt God prompting me to move away from serving children. I quit my job at my boys' preschool knowing that God was calling me away from that position. I have no idea where He is calling me to next and I am kind of excited about that. I typically love having plan and knowing exactly where I am going. I usually fear the unknown. This time is different. I have an excited expectancy for the plans God has for my life. Jeremiah 29:11 has gone with me all these years and never lets me down. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I am resting and have confidence in knowing that His plan for me is far greater than anything I can imagine. I am expectantly awaiting the next chapter to begin in my life story.
As much as I enjoyed 2014, even the yucky stuff, I am ready for a new year. With newness comes hope. With hope comes expectancy. With expectancy comes promise. I pray we all live expectantly awaiting all He has for us!
Love & Blessings,
Meg
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20
I love this verse. I like knowing that I can be made new. I am not a big fan of change. I am learning to roll with it, but I admit I am a routine kind of gal. However, I like knowing that I can be made new in my Savior. When I brake, I am made new. When I make a mistake, I am made new. When I head down the wrong path, I am made new. When I make good wise choice, I am still made new; rejuvenated. As we head into 2015, I am finding joy in the new. There's so much hope and potential in a new year. The only way I can walk into this new year filled with expectancy is by looking back and remembering how I got to this place.
Three words come to mind when I look back at 2014: rest, confidence, and expectancy. Last year was a year of rest for me. You know how you have those years where it seems like trial after trial continues to hit? I've had those years before. This year, however, was different. God opened opportunities of rest in my life and I was ready. I was able to slow down and reflect. I had time to spend with Him discovering who I am in my mid-thirties and where I want to go from here. I have learned so much in this season of rest. I still don't have all the answers and am still learning how to truly stop and rest in Him, but I am getting there. I have thoroughly enjoyed this time of rest. It has helped me process, discover, and find myself. I know that this rest is preparing me for something new and great which excites me to no end. I will always cherish the rest He has given me.
The next word that comes to mind is confidence. I am a searcher. I am always looking for something: a new me, something to challenge me, a new goal, a new way to eat, a different way to place the furniture, a better way to parent, etc. Sometimes, through my searching, I lose myself and place my confidence in everything and everyone but the very thing I should: God. This year I realized that my confidence is in Him and Him alone. Nothing can truly satisfy my soul like Him. I can look here, there, and everywhere to gain confidence and security and still feel empty. This year I discovered that my confidence rests in Him. I have experienced such freedom in knowing, believing, and resting in my confidence in Him. "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12
Lastly, the word expectancy comes to mind as I review 2014. I went to school to be an elementary school teacher. I even went back and got my Masters in Education. I have always worked with kids as long as I can remember. It's just what I have always done. This past year I felt God prompting me to move away from serving children. I quit my job at my boys' preschool knowing that God was calling me away from that position. I have no idea where He is calling me to next and I am kind of excited about that. I typically love having plan and knowing exactly where I am going. I usually fear the unknown. This time is different. I have an excited expectancy for the plans God has for my life. Jeremiah 29:11 has gone with me all these years and never lets me down. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I am resting and have confidence in knowing that His plan for me is far greater than anything I can imagine. I am expectantly awaiting the next chapter to begin in my life story.
As much as I enjoyed 2014, even the yucky stuff, I am ready for a new year. With newness comes hope. With hope comes expectancy. With expectancy comes promise. I pray we all live expectantly awaiting all He has for us!
Love & Blessings,
Meg
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20
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