buildingbodies4christ

New Beginning

Every turn of the year, I like to reflect a bit of what has taken place over the past year. Then I like to contemplate what God wants to work on for the next year. As I sit down to think about a few things, I recall the word for this past year was trust. In every trial that I faced, trust was the word given. Wait has also been a word that was received with frequency. I asked and God said “wait.” Wait on the timing. Wait on the next thing. Wait and trust that God is working it all out for those who are called to His purpose – that’s me.

I didn’t have in mind to go on a mission trip before the year began last January. Yet, it was one of the highlights of the year. I struggled with getting the shots and getting the resources to pay for the trip. But it all worked out. When I was there, I trusted God with my food issues, and it too worked out – probably better off there than here. I trusted God in a couple of financial battles that ensued this year. And I made it through another year by God’s grace alone!

I haven’t conquered the trust issue by any means, but I am further along the path to completely trusting no matter what; even when I can’t see the outcome. I trust that when God puts an opportunity in my path, no matter what, I can trust the outcome to Him. My obligation is to be obedient to what I know to do in the circumstance. One thing about being obedient in the difficult times, my reaction to obedience has shortened and my trust muscle is growing stronger.

I am reminded of a t-shirt I saw one day when I was working out. “Winners train, losers complain!” It got my attention immediately. I tend to complain more than I should. My mouth gets to running more than my feet do. I am on the winning side with God, so why should I complain? Are the circumstances not up to my standards? There is nothing that should warrant complaints. God has chosen the path I am to take. The obstacles are made for my endurance. The rocks are there for me to climb over to strengthen me. The roots are not to stumble on but to see them for what they are; a snare of Satan’s. This is the path for me alone, and I will choose to walk as a winner. I will endure the hardships with a confidence in God. For God alone is my strength; He is my stronghold. Nothing will shake my confidence in Him. I can trust Him!

So for 2014, I don’t know the word that the Lord will put before me this year. I do know there is more work to be done in me. I will press on reaching for the prize made possible through Jesus. He is my Shepherd and I will follow Him. Even if I stumble, He is there beside me every step of the way. This year I pledge to trust more; train harder and longer, and complain less. Let my feet do more running than my mouth!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25