I was struck at church today by the pastor's message. I felt it was worth sharing and if nothing else something to think about as you plan your 2008 goals!
My Sunday began with the Tri Fusion Master's Swim Class at Oz Fitness at 8am. We swam 12, 150's for a total of 1800 yards today. And yes I did have to nap later. We followed the swim by a social at Starbucks with several other Tri Fusion members. Trish and I then went to church at Life Center. It is somewhat a miracle in itself that I managed to get to church--I have been frustrated with God's plan for me but luckily I come around. Because you know God doesn't give up on you even if you close the door on him.
Now back to the sermon! Today Pastor Joe was gone, which I immediately was thinking, "Oh great, I invite Trish, and our normal pastor is gone!" But to my surprise Trish and both loved it and we both commented how we listened the whole time! (my mind has been known to wander just a little during a sermon!) Today's message was all about what will your year be... "A Good Year or a God Year?" Let me explain... a God Year would be when you trust in the Lord and walk with him through good times and bad. The Good Year referred to the year where you inform God your "instruction book" for how you'd like things done. My experience with the two is that when I think I can plan everything I am likely to be disappointed because my plan and God's time are not always in sync. Pastor Williams used the story from Genesis about Joseph. Time and time again in his life he faces disappointment yet never strays from God's love and will.
So, as you make your 2008 goals, I encourage you to reflect on your relationship with the Lord. What could you change? How can your life mirror that of a life living and trusting in the Lord? The further I am from God almost always correlates with my life feeling out of control and unfocused. Time and time again I am drawn back to the light of my savior and am once again comforted by his love, even when things don't go just my way. I am constantly reminded that of how Great our God is!
Happy New Year!
2 comments:
Dear Kim-
WOW! This post really touched my heart!
What a great and memorable phrase..."Do you want a good year or a God year?" The first is my instruction booklet to God about how to do it and what should happen and the second is what He wants for me and His plan! Yikes!
This made me chuckle and really think!
So often I find myself almost lecturing God about how it should go...and what needs to happen! Pretty humorous really! Or on the other extreme... only coming to God, and deciding to communicate, when things are hard and something has gone wrong. A sort of.."God, Here I am in emergency mode!" type of relationship. Or a final approach...things are going well so I kind of ignore God and put Him on the back burner. None of these lead to a "God Year".
I also loved it when you said that God doen't leave just because we close the door on Him! I am so grateful that this is true!
Perhaps my biggest "life lesson" as someone who is 60 and working to balance being a wife, Mom, Nana, friend, teacher, healthy life and exercise seeker...the list goes on and on..is that when the spiritual piece in my life is out of whack, and not a constant part of what I concentrate on, before long everything is off base!
Thank you so much for sharing this wisdom!
God Bless! Love Linda
Thank you for sharing this, sis. This is such a powerful analogy to remind me.
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