Time has somehow transported us to a new year. Time flies, as they say. It’s an interesting phenomenon that day to day life can somehow move slowly but at the end of 365 days linked together we say how fast the time has gone! This time speedway brings us to the intersection where we find ourselves looking in multiple directions to attain the safest and quickest route to emotional, physical or spiritual wellness.
If I only do ______, I will get to that place of happiness I’m striving for. If I only have more _____, I can move on to greater security. When I lose ______, I will be beautiful. When those people _______, then I will not be a loser.
Can you relate? Maybe you have your own blanks you could fill in which describe your thoughts.
There is nothing wrong with growing and maturing emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The word of God commands us to. Here’s my question: do we need to wait until a new year to live out those desires? Can we daily choose to live, practicing disciplines that will transform us? Will we choose to put self behind in every area so that our focus is not ourselves but the world in need around us?
Daily life–it does not wait for us to direct how it will play out. The kids get sick, or break an ankle. There is a car crash and your car is totaled. The doctor’s office gives an unexpected bad report from the routine test you had last week. You are rejected, passed by. Life’s trajectory creates a vacuum of ‘woe is me’.
God’s faithful but imperfect servant David is someone to relate to. David was someone whom God called with great promise, and although he used much of what God designed in him, he also failed God hugely. He also was honest with God and offered up his own emotional wrangling. But through all of that, he chose to learn how to trust God more. He chose to daily walk out the path that was before him even when situations pointed toward a lousy outcome.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
A new day: The scripture says THIS day; this one, exactly today. A fresh 24 hours to live. What if we looked to our day with wonder and curiosity asking God “What do you have for me to accomplish for you today Lord?” Or “What person/ people do you need touched today, Lord, with your love?” This takes our focus off of ourselves –it compels us to shift our thinking to the pouring out of life.
The Lord: Jesus our Savior. Are we living as such? As we relied on Him at our lowest point in our need for a savior, we should be relying upon Him daily to lead us, guide us and transform us to be His hands and feet wherever we are. Even through the most difficult times of life, we can keep our eyes on Jesus who sustains and walks us onto victory.
Has made: God is in the creating business! He created the day to frame life. This frame includes amazing YOU! Our destiny is built into every day we have been given. As we live each day out, we connect with the one Who made us and what He made us for.
Let us Rejoice and be glad: Choose to live in joy! To live rejoicing, which in turn creates more joy! Choosing to see the joy in life even when life hits you hard. Learning that to rejoice doesn’t mean you’re pretending bad times don’t exist; rather, choosing to acknowledge the joy Giver.
We have been given a gift in every day. Someone once said the present is a present to us! In our seeking may we be good stewards of each day, redeeming every moment for His glory!
Terry is a blog contributor who is thankful for her life in Jesus which fills her life with joy. For more on joy and the other fruits of the Spirit, check out our Galatians 5: Fruit of the Spirit study. You can listen to any of our Bible studies by tuning in to your favorite radio station, listening to our podcast on the Study With Friends website, iTunes, or listening through TuneIn or Stitcher online radio.
Great job Terry,this was a great encouragement to me today.
so glad!