Fresh Start

I love the prospect of a New Year. There's something about that turn of the calendar page that does something for me. It allows me to be able to close a chapter and get excited about moving on. The freshness of all the possibilities of a brand new year. Granted, it's just the same 24 hour chunk of time rolling into the next, but somehow, that particular day forces us to reflect on the past and determine the necessary changes for correcting our course towards the vision of our future.

Some things look scary, and others exhilarating. But the ability to set this day on record in our minds and seek direction for our future is just the kick start some of us need to get out of our funk and get moving on our dreams. Life happens throughout the year. Things hit us that we didn't see coming. We face all kinds of obstacles that get us slightly off course. Without a point in time to adjust the sails, we'd end up far off course.

I don't know about you, but I have a lot of "I don't know why's" from this year. I have often wished God would just clarify a few things for me that I just plain don't get why He allowed. But, that is His job to know, not mine. There are just some things I'm better off not knowing. He knows that full well. We need to trust Him with that, REALLY trust Him.

And one thing I've learned this year is that no matter what crap I've had to walk through this year, He has kept me from getting any on my shoes. It's a land mine of cowpatties out there, let me tell ya! But I'm thankful that He's been there all the time. Not only that, but He tells me He's got a great future planned for me! And if I'll finally let go of the things I think give me security, He can work better to get me to that future than when I've got a death-grip on those things that weigh me down.

Now is the time I must take a leap of faith. I've risked a lot before for what He's led me to do and He never let me fall. The way looked dark and lonely sometimes, but I was never once abandoned. He is pushing me to take another leap. He wants to change up my 2011 more than ever and that is just a little hard for a control person like me. That is precisely why He is requiring it of me. So that I will see that He is in control, not me.

The things He has been showing me are not for revealing now. Like Mary had to hold some things in her heart for a season, so must I, but I have seen a glimpse of His vision for me and it is a designer original. No wonder He's been pounding that concept into my head for so long. He has uniquely designed each of our lives into which only we can fit. No one else can fill our place in His design for our lives. We need to seriously respond with prompt obedience when He shows us something because if we hesitate, we can miss a crucial crossroad.

Maybe it sounds like I'm spinning in circles, or maybe you completely get what I'm trying to say. All I know is, more change is coming and I'm not going to fear it. I just started reading a book by Joyce Meyer called "I Dare You" and it couldn't be more perfect for this moment in time for me. It confirms so much and is full of encouragement to take those leaps of faith and live life to the fullest. I would highly recommend it as a New Year book to read.

Then I came across this little gem as I was having my morning devotions. I'm reading the Psalms out of the Message and here is what hit me like a bullseye from Psalm 51:

"God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life." 

 Wow, isn't God good? What do you need to shed from 2010? Drop the baggage and move into 2011 with your hands free to receive all that God has for you in the coming year. He knows the plans He has for you. He wants YOU to know those plans, too, but you'll only get there if you trust and obey Him. Do something fresh this year - BELIEVE ALL THE WAY!