In some ways, New Years is an arbitrary moment. The clock strikes midnight, the ball drops, the champagne cork flies, kisses are exchanged...and there you are, the same person you were one minute ago. You have the same family, the same job, the same successes, the same failures, and the same challenges you had one minute ago. Very little actually changes at the New Year. However, if we choose to make it so, welcoming in a new year can also be quite meaningful. As we trade in our old calendar for a new one, adjust to writing a different year on our checks, receive our W-2 in the mail, and strive to start out strong with our resolutions for the new year, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on the previous year and consider our hopes and expectations for the upcoming year. Some years bring lots of laughter and joy, others bring tears and struggles. Some years are fun to reflect on, others we wish we could erase from our memories. But whatever kind of year we have had, we can look back and reflect on the lessons that we have learned through both smooth and challenging times. And those of us with a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ can cling to His promise that...
...for those who love God
all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose
-Romans 8:38-39
all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose
-Romans 8:38-39
How wonderful to know that in the end, He causes every moment in our lives, each day, each year to ultimately add up to a wonderful, good thing. What good thing is He doing in your life? If you can't see the good that will come of your current circumstances, do you believe Him that He will ultimately cause it all to work together for good?
For us, 2014 was quite a year! Filled with lots of travel, some very big changes, and many moments of seeking and waiting on God. But what a rich and full year it was! We started out the year living in Virginia, knowing that Trey would be laid off or relocated to Pennsylvania by Fall, and seeking God about our future. We ended the year 7 time zones ahead, living in L'viv, Ukraine, working in full-time ministry. It's amazing to see God's hand at work in our lives in ways we would never have expected! As we reflect on this past year, we wanted to share with you a few of the lessons God has been teaching us. In this 3-part post, we focus on five key lessons God has been teaching us over the course of the past year.
Lesson 1: It's His Plan, His Work. Not Ours.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
- Proverbs 19:21
but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
- Proverbs 19:21
This year, God has been reminding us that He is the one who has been in control and at work throughout the ages to bring about His perfect plan. He is sovereign over all, and He will cause His purposes to be fulfilled. Even now, He is working and bringing about the results He desires. He invites humans to be a part of His big plan. How wonderful that we get to be along for the ride!
For it is God who works in you,
both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
- Philippians 2:13
both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
- Philippians 2:13
As believers, we should continually hold our lives before Him with open hands and ask Him to work in and through us however He wants. Our ultimate goal is not to follow our plans, fulfill our desires, and accomplish our agenda. Rather, our goal is to walk in the plans He has for us, to obey what He has called us to, and to trust Him with the results as He fulfills His desires and His plans. That verse from Philippians is truly amazing. Not only does God work in us to accomplish His good pleasure, but He works in us to help us will (or want) to do His good pleasure! What a wonderful promise, especially in the times when we honestly don't want the things that He wants. We can cling to this promise and ask Him to work in us to help us desire His good pleasure.