Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013. Thanks Be to God.

I hadn't scheduled anyone for Testimony Tuesday, so you get me today.  Grab one of those leftover Christmas goodies and enjoy.

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises.  - Oswald Chambers

To be certain of God:
We can be certain that God is good.  He is faithful.  He is gracious.
In a brief section of time, it can be quite difficult to look around and see the goodness of the Lord.  There are so many uncertainties.  There are expectations.  There are failures.  And where is God in it all.  But if we look outside of the brief second, minute, hour, or day.  We can see God's consistent hand in our lives.  I can see God's consistent hand in my life, especially over the past year.

I am certain of God's grace and his provision to allow me to do something I love- travel.  My travels this year were with some of the people I love the most.  I traveled to parts of the Western Carribbean, Prague, the beach on numerous occassions, Washington DC, and Boston.

I am certain of God's goodness and faithfulness in providing me a job that I never expected to receive.  I became Circulation Manager for the Biblical Recorder in May.

I am certain of God's grace, sufficiency and goodness by allowing me to complete my second half marathon.

I am certain of God's grace in allowing me to write - on this blog and curriculum for Treasuring Christ Curriculum.

I am certain of God's faithfulness in seeing specific prayer requests answered throughout the course of the year.

I am certain of God's grace in providing me a new church to attend.  A small group to grow with.  New friends to build relationships with. And old friends who were gracious in this entire transition.

I am certain of God's faithfulness and grace in his calling of two close friends to serve Him in Toronto and Poland.  I am certain of His goodness to them as they have transitioned to a new location, denied the comforts and security of NC, and gone to serve Him.

The general expression of sadness:
It is unfortunate that their are times in our lives where we fill let down or frustrated by the plans of God.  I would be in error to say that this doesn't happen to me.  Because it does, and it happens often.  Looking back over just a few of the glimpses of God's faithfulness above, I am nearly appalled at my fits and parties of selfishness that I have had over the year.  How often do we look at the closed doors behind us or the unopened doors in front of us and get overcome with such frustration and doubt.  I am thankful for God's graciousness in loving me despite myself.

The breathless expectation:
What a beautiful way to phrase the anticipation of all our God has in store!  I imagine it to be like a child (or myself) witnessing a beautiful Christmas lights display for the first time.  It takes our breath away because we can't imagine anything more exciting and invigarating in that moment.  We want to be in the very midst of the excitement and lights, but also want to stand afar and take it all in at the very same moment.  We are breathless.  My prayer is to be breathless for the coming year and each moment that unfolds - to be captivated by the workings of God, who is working on our behalf constantly.  I want to be breathless.

May we be certain of the God who loves us in the coming year.  May we be uncertain of all that He has for us.  May we look onward with breathless expectation rather than a sigh of sadness.  May we abandon ourselves to the thing God has placed in front of us.  May we anxiously await all the surprises He has in store for us.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-1

Happy New Year!

1 comment:

  1. What a good word. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 16:9 -- We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

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