Now that we have brought up the New Year below is a list of things I learned in 2013 that I hope to carry over into 2014, as well as a few things I hope to do better in 2014. My heart in sharing them is that you would find hope in them and maybe even find courage to do some of them on your own. Don’t think I'm trying to tell you what to do in the new year or that I’m saying by doing these few things you will find success and happiness … I’m simply saying these are things that have been on my heart for the last few months and I pray that I am disciplined enough to make room for them in 2014.
Move:
Don’t freak out, I don’t mean sell your house and move to a new state. I literally mean move. Get up and do something. Change happens because one person decided to do something. Be that one person. As believers, we so often get caught being comfortable. I once heard a sermon on the “Christian chair.” We get so comfortable sitting in this chair that we forget what it’s like to get out of it. We sit in our chairs and refuse to get up because it’s “out of our way,” or "we don’t have time for it.” We refuse to get out of our chairs because we don’t want to associate with those kind of people or expose our family to certain things. I challenge you to move this year. To stand up from your stinkin’ Christian chair and then kick it over as you walk away from it. It drives me wild knowing what we could accomplish as the church body but aren’t because too many of us have gotten comfortable and refuse to move from our chairs. Think about what 2014 might look like if we just moved? It just takes one person.
Give:
Let me guess, your first thought was money. Right? Wrong. Give time. Give food. Give patience. Give your Wednesday nights. We get so caught up in giving money that we forget there are countless other ways to give. Host a family for dinner once a month. That’s giving. Spend time with the children’s ministry at your church. That’s giving. Instead of getting drive through coffee every morning, buy somebody else’s breakfast. That’s giving. Understand that when you give, you are allowing yourself to experience a sense of joy that only comes when we sacrifice something for other people. Who are you willing to sacrifice for this year?
Forgive Someone.
Yikes, this is hard to do. Super-duper hard to do. Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes we think that because our good and gracious Father has forgiven us that once we accept His forgiveness it’s game over. Although that is true and I’m forever thankful for his forgiveness, it’s equally important for us to forgive our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. When we hold grudges and continue to be angry at others we are robbing ourselves from experiencing more of the Lord. When we allow the pieces of our heart to be consumed by bitterness, angry and past hurt we aren’t allowing the Lord to have all of it. When we hold onto those things and the people that have hurt us we are still slaves; slaves to the thoughts, the memories and the guilt.
I recently did this over Thanksgiving and it was probably top three hardest things I’ve ever done, but afterwards I felt a piece of freedom I have never experienced before. There was a person from my childhood who I blamed for a lot of things and stayed angry at for over 10 years. I blamed him for my parents’ marriage problems. I accused him of making my family fall apart. I was angry at him for all of the times he hurt me, physically and emotionally. I told him I hated him. I refused to say anything nice to him. I was angry at the way he manipulated my parents. There were so many reasons I had held onto over the years to allow the hatred to continue in my heart. But over Thanksgiving I saw him for the first time in three years on that day I did something I never thought I would do, especially in person. I told him I forgave him. With tears in my eyes I told him that I forgave him for everything in the past, for all the hurt, the anger and the brokenness. I told him that it didn’t matter anymore and that we were starting over. That day I let go of emotions that had held me captive for almost half of my life. That day I let go of bitterness, anger, hatred, and jealousy. I allowed my heart let go of things so that I could make room for the Lord.
Forgiving someone takes us laying down our pride, being vulnerable and letting go. I pray, I truly, truly pray that the Lord will lead you to someone who needs forgiveness. If your experience is going to be anything like mine, it will be well worth it. Trust the Lord on this one.
Stop Doing Something.
Break a bad habit. Easy as that, right? But really, stop doing something. Maybe it’s as easy as to stop swearing. Or what if it's time you tackle an addiction that’s held you captive for one too many years. Stop Facebooking on your phone all day and use that time differently. Stop gossiping. Whatever it may be I pray that you honestly, and wholeheartedly, consider “stopping” something. When we stop doing things we have more time to devote to our family, friends, and the Lord. Devote the time you used to spend on this “thing” with the Lord. Think about all the time you’d have in 2014 if you stopped doing that “thing.” (PS: Don’t get the idea that I don’t have any bad habits because I certainly do.)
Start Doing Something New.
On the same note, pick up a new habit. It’s good for your brain. Start your day with a devotional instead of waiting until bedtime and then saying “I’ll do it tomorrow, I’m too tired tonight.” Start eating better. One the I’ve learned over the last year is how much the stuff we put into our bodies effects us. Start spending more time with your family. Start doing something. Big or small … I promise that this new hobby will become something you cherish.
Fast.
Fasting is something that I’ve recently been learning more about. Fasting is one of those things we view as taboo or for the “crazy” religious folk, but really as Christians this is a discipline I believe we should practice. Yes, the most common fast is from food but there are also other fasts as well. Fast from alcohol. Fast from technology. Fast from dating. Fast from something you indulge in (ice cream, candy, chips, etc.). I recently re-read an excerpt on fasting, the author points out that fasting is actually feasting. When we fast we are allowing our hearts, our minds and our bodies to feast on the Lord; to feast on His goodness, to feast on the fruits of His spirit, to feast on his grace, love and mercy. When we fast our eyes are opened to things we might not otherwise notice. When we fast we have to intentionally give 100% devotion to the One who nourishes our bodies, we have to focus our eyes on Him so we may not be tempted, we have to continually talk with Him so we do not give in to the things of this world. Where you would normally seek comfort (food, phone, alcohol, etc.) you are forced to seek true comfort from the Almighty. Talk with the Lord about this, with the right intentions and the right motives, fasting allows you to experience the Lord in a new way.
Spend time alone.
I like to call these my “me-days.” Take a day every now and then (once a month, once a week, whatever works for you) to just enjoy you. Take time to sit down and relax. Take time to sleep. To read. To enjoy time spent in solitude and silence. This year give yourself some much needed rest. If you’re like me, we tend to get so caught up in our to-do lists and the obligations of life that we forget to just sit down and have some time to ourselves. When you take time to slow down and just sit, you start to realize how unimportant those "things" are that we spend our time chasing. Let 2014 be a year where you learn to step back, rest and simply your life.
As I said earlier, I truly believe that when we posture our hearts in a way that is pleasing and glorifying to God, He will do mighty things in and through us. Without a doubt, I believe that we have to set down our worldly motives and intentions and allow him to have 100% reign over our new year. I trust that when I seek answers from God through fasting, worship and giving that He shows me a part of His heart I have never seen; and I don't doubt that He will do the same for you. I believe that in twenty-fourteen if we open up every facet of our lives and of our hearts, allow God to truly lead us through this year, He will show up in bigger and mightier ways than we could have ever imagined.
With a grateful heart,
-V
Father,
I want to take time and tell you how grateful I am for the people you lead to my website. I pray over the words I type and speak, that they would hear your voice and remember all of the promises you hold in their life.
I pray for each set of eyes reading this, that they would take 2014 seriously. That they would spend time alone and seek answers to life's questions from you. That they would find new ways to worship and connect with you. I pray that they would spend more time with their families and cherish the memories they are making with their loved ones. Father, encourage every reader to see the Light that you offer, to become more aware of all the life changing possibilities that you hold for each one of us. I ask that you would become more real to them in 2014 than in any year before. Give them divine appointments where they seek you and open their hearts to your unconditional love. Allow them to forgive, to let go of past hurts and move closer to you.
Most importantly Father, remind each one of them that they are Your beloved. They are a chosen people who were placed on this earth by you to move, build and honor our King. Remind them how perfect they are. Remind them that regardless of their past mistakes that your love still covers them. Show them that no matter how far they run from you that you will continue to wait patiently for them until they return. Father we are all broken, bruised and thirsty for you.
Thankful for another year, Lord. Let us seek you and find you like never before.