1. I don't want to be so glued to my phone that I miss out on actual life, friends and family moments.
I've been noticing how many folks have smart phones these days. (I know, "Welcome to 2014, Natalie"). But seriously, whether it's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, even blogs, we have become SO CONNECTED that we're really NOT CONNECTED. Hopefully you understand what I'm saying. We SEE what everyone is doing ALL THE TIME (well those of us that are on Social Media) but we aren't actually a part of what's happening. We're somewhat of a by-stander peering into the lives of others. We know what's going on with them and in their lives so why actually talk to them, right? WRONG!
Anyhow, I often think about how my kids or even how others see me....Do they see me with my nose in the Word or doing something else productive or do they see me with my nose in my phone all the time? Maybe you've had these thoughts too? Maybe not. But I think there's really something to grasp here.......Whether it's my phone, sports, music, church stuff.... (insert your own noun) I MUST maintain a balance.
I know some of my good buddies will relate to this. It seems I'm always the picture taker or the one making sure everyone else is "OK"....Or I'm so busy with the "Flow" of things, or managing things that I don't take the time to actually enjoy it? I put a questions mark there because I'm still trying to figure all of this out.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE what I get to do. But I believe God wants me to loosen up a bit. To not be so concerned with the little details of "how the everything is going" and "maybe I should've done this or that"........I believe that I am wired that way for a reason BUT I can't let it consume me. It's just like the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was SO CONSUMED with the flow that she missed out on what Jesus had for her. While Mary, stopped and listened. This speaks VOLUMES to me. (Luke 10:38-42) Some people think that Martha was just doing what she knew to do and I could see myself doing the same thing. Maybe Martha found value in preparing her house and food for Jesus. But here's the thing; Jesus pointed it out. Maybe that WAS how Martha functioned but Jesus pointed it out because He wanted her to know that her value ISN'T in the work she does but in Him.
I don't want to have regrets like that. I want to enjoy the good times that God has placed before me.
3. I don't want to procrastinate any longer for me to be in good health.
For the past 10 years or so, my health hasn't been great. I've been diagnosed with Thyroid problems, PCOS, Diabetes.....blah, blah, blah......NOT GOOD THINGS.
This is the result of poor eating habits, not enough actual exercise but more running errands like a crazy person, genetics and not a good understanding of how I should treat my body according to God's Word.
WELL, enough is enough. I realized the other day how old I am. I'm 33. I know, doesn't sound that "old"....but I haven't had children of my own yet and as a woman, it concerns me a little. BUT I AM HOLDING ONTO GOD'S PROMISE TO ME. Our children will be here WHEN I stay disciplined with my eating and exercise and when GOD SAYS SO. PERIOD.
I feel like since my hospital visit back in June, I've made HUGE strides for change but I want to do better!
4. I don't want to merely TALK about ministry....BUT actually DO IT.
Yes, I know I preached a sermon on BEING THE CHURCH and I truly meant it. But I want to be known as someone who didn't just preach in the pulpit but also as someone that LIVED OUT THE GOSPEL. I want to BE WHERE the people need to hear the Gospel. That means, I want to go TO THEM. Why in the world would we ever think that it's the sinners responsibility to come to us?? That's NOT what Jesus did! He went TO THEM. He even preached this little sermon about the Good Samaritan???? Remember that? The Good Samaritan WENT TO the person in the ditch.
I want to be in the ditch with "them"....the ones that REALLY need help and hope.
5. I don't want to live offended, overly sensitive, and fearful of what is going on around me.
All I need to know is that God loves me and His timing is always perfect. Not that I have been living offended....I wasn't brought up that way. But there have been times when I could've been outraged in 2013 but I chose to let it go. Like when.......Ahhh, gotcha! :) But seriously, I was better off for it. Less stress resting and realizing I'm already blessed. Now that'll preach!
6. I don't want to just hope that God will make a way....I AM CONVINCED HE WILL!
Jared and I were chatting about some things in the car the other night. We were discussing Hebrews 11. Jared was saying that the Word says in Hebrews 11:1-3
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
Did you catch that? FAITH IS BEING CONFIDENT AND CONVINCED that God will do it! THAT'S what faith is! And the Bible says we can't please God without faith! WHOA!! This blew me away! I've heard this verse my whole life but never really understood it.
So Jared and I have a new way of thinking about 2014. We are confident and convinced that God will show up! We aren't just hoping and praying......NO we are CONVINCED!
I know this was a bit different that your typical resolution list but I feel the Lord is changing me. There has been a lot of change in our lives and I think it really did a number on me in 2013. But I am CONVINCED that God knows what He's doing and I'm not going to question it.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
