5-4-3-2-1… Happy New Year!  What’s your focus for 2016?

A few days ago while out walking by a pond I saw a crusty, musty old barn and silo through a clearing.  What a fantastic piece of history!  Its sturdiness and majesty amazed me.  If a few stable hands got in there and applied some elbow grease, I thought, this old place could be AMAZING!  Sadly, it just stands there unused and silent, with untapped and unlimited potential.

Sitting on a cluster of boulders by the water’s edge, I focused on the barn.  When there was life inside you: strong horses and other farm animals along with men and women tending the surrounding land, you had such purpose and meaning.  While hauntingly beautiful now, many may only see a demolition in your future.  Who decides if you’re worth saving?

Funny to go around talking to empty buildings, but in some ways this old barn and I were alike!  My old thinking and past actions focused a lot on my physical appearance or moods. 

Instead of living life using my God-given gifts, talents and abilities, I stumbled around for years wishing for lucky breaks, or worse, blaming others when my plans failed again and again.  I felt spiritually empty inside, and was self-destructive.  Thankfully God pierced right through my façade with love and kindness.

…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.  1 Sam 16:7  (NIV)

Once I made the decision to trust the Lord completely, I began to stop rationalizing all my failures and shortcomings as “that’s just who I am.” Life bloomed with possibility!  No more blindly navigating through life frustrated by unrealized plans and missed opportunities.   Now closely aligned to God’s Word, my future has stability and security.  Through my children I have both a gift and a reward from Heaven.

What are YOU trusting God for in 2016?  A new job.  Financial freedom.  Healthier relationships.  Perhaps all of the above!  Let’s agree today:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and kindness!  I honor You and praise You, for You are El Roi, the God who sees me.  You faithfully and continuously watch over me, and establish my steps. 

Let 2016 be the year of fundamental change in me, as I trust You completely to do the impossible in my life.  Strengthen me when I am weak Lord, and increase  my faith daily. Thank you for my life God!  Use it to Your glory.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

CED