“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Series: Standing Strong
Happy New Year! We made it through the celebrations, gatherings, special meals, and all the other extras the holidays bring. Kudos to us all! When I came up for air after the festive commitments, I felt as if God was warning me, as my mother had many times years ago: “You’re on thin ice!”
I realized I was spread too thin, over-committed, dismissing some of the most important things, and just plain exhausted. This warning caused me to pause and evaluate my choices. Coincidentally, the calendar simultaneously turned to the new year.
As each new year begins, we often look back to assess where we’ve been, and turn our thoughts to what lies ahead. We may identify things we hope to accomplish in the next twelve months. However, the trend of making big, concrete New Year’s resolutions has given way to developing new perspectives and implementing new habits.
Big goals create the vision and fuel the initial motivation to begin. Yet, without the systems in place and mindset shifts, we set ourselves up for failure. Making intentional and progressive small changes fosters sustainable growth and success.
Heeding His warning, I scheduled some quiet time to reflect, pray, and wait upon God to help me identify the changes I needed to make to firm up my foundation. I knew I needed to draw closer to Him and keep Him as the top priority in my life. He, after all, is the Creator of all and the Master Planner!
Turning to Genesis 1:1-5 (HCSB), I read:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and He called the darkness “night.” Evening came and then morning: the first day.
From the very beginning, in the empty and dark chaos, the Spirit of God was present. God spoke and formed light that pierced and overcame the darkness. He separated the chaos from the orderly and established the first day. As we read further in Genesis 1, we learn that God progressively created more and more things to fill the earth, the seas, the sky, and the heavens.
Step by step, day by day, God created everything. There was a plan, a purpose, and a specific development in all of creation. God didn’t create everything all at the same moment in time. Instead, He gradually implemented His mission through an intentional process.
God didn’t stop fulfilling His plans when creation was complete. He prepared us to be born at the exact time we were and knew us even as we were in our mothers’ wombs (Psalm 139). He planned for us to have hope and a good future (Jeremiah 29:11). He provided our Savior, the Word made Flesh, before time began, and He was born at the appointed time (John 1). He sent His Holy Spirit to comfort, teach, help, and guide His people (John 14:26). He breathed into the hearts and minds of the authors of scripture so that we could be armed with truth, instruction, and wisdom (2 Timothy 3:16). And He will send His Son again (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 1:7).
As I meditated on God’s methodical moves and completed objectives throughout the expanse of time, I rested in the truth that He holds my life in His capable hands, and He has provided the instruction I need to help me through every situation. He is the calm in the chaos, the light in the darkness, the peace in the storm, the boundary in the demands, the wisdom in the confusion, and the way when there is no way.
Lingering in this meditation, I turned to Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV):
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We may accuse ourselves of being our worst enemy. We may point fingers at the expectations others place upon us. But scripture says we don’t wrestle against people. We wrestle against evil. And we can stand strong when we put on the full armor of God.
Life is busy, fast, and challenging. Have you spread yourself too thin? Is your foundation weak? Are there changes you need to make? Boundaries you need to set? Goals to accomplish this year? Plans you need to implement? Ground you need to take back?
Don’t try to accomplish it all at once. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Instead, join us each week during this series to learn how to make shifts in your mindset and develop small habits that will cultivate growth and establish the firm foundation God has planned for us. Let’s get off this thin ice before we break through it, and move to solid ground where we can stand strong.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Jeremiah 29:11; Genesis 1; Psalm 139; John 1, 14:26; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:7; Ephesians 6:10-13
