What's Your Word?

It's a new year. The landscape, unending, stretches out before us filled with possibilities. Where will it take you? What will you do with this new opportunity. Every new beginning is a new opportunity.

I mentioned last year that as each new year approaches I try to look and listen to where the Lord is leading me. What does He have for me in this new year? Am I growing? Am I ministering to the needs of others? Am I a vessel of praise? Each year it something different.

Last year my word was obedience. This year my word is deliver. I know my word isn't exciting, or even warm and fuzzy, like compassion, or faithfulness, or something along those lines. It may not even make sense to anyone else but me, but, already the Lord has shown me in small ways where He is leading me.

Every year He pushes a little bit harder, and has me dig a bit deeper to accomplish what He has for me. It always draws us into a closer communion with one other, but it also serves to strip away and prune me. I can tell you that there will be alot of digging deep this year and alot of hard work, because the Lord wants to deliver me from some strong holds in my life. -I didn't even realize I had strong holds. Funny how the Lord will reveal things to you when He knows you are ready. Well, I can't say that I'm completely ready, but, I know that He's ready and He is ready for me to be ready. So, here goes nothing.

It's very hard to explain, but, hopefully it's something I can share as time goes on and things unfold. I don't like to share negative thoughts or feelings here (or any social network for that matter.) I don't feel it serves a purpose but, to vent or complain, and honestly I can't stand constant negativity. If I'm struggling with something I have a few close confidants I go to whom are grounded in the word and will pray with me and counsel me in a godly manner. Sometimes I need to work it out just me and the Lord. I tend to share here once I've come out the other side of a difficult place and I can see what the Lord wants me to learn or take from it. Maybe that makes me seem less "real" or relateable than other people or blogs out there, but, I'm really OK with that. I think there is something to be said for a little discretion. Back in September, I had the opportunity to attend a Beth Moore simulcast event and she said something that really struck me. She said that while she enjoys social networking, such as, face book, twitter, and blogging, there is a down side. Technology being what it is today, there are suddenly hundreds of thousands of writers out there. However, they lack one important thing, an editor. We need to think before we push publish. This is especially true within the Christian community. She challenged us that if it doesn't edify one another or glorify our Lord, then what purpose does it serve? Think before you push publish. I guess I have felt that way for a while, she just put it into words.

That being said, I don't think everything needs to be shiny and happy all the time. I enjoy blogs that are transparent and vulnerable, and give you a new perspective on things. I'm talking about the train wreck you can't turn away from. Sometimes we are so attracted to the train wreck and all the negativity. The more we surround ourselves with it, the more we allow it to trickle into our lives and soon it is out pouring from us as well. Have you ever noticed that if you find yourself surrounded by a group of people complaining, and you don't remove yourself from it, you either find yourself so uncomfortable you are about to suffocate, or you end up joining in the banter. Yeah, been there. I'm not proud of it either. So, moving on.

Sometimes the Lord has to hold up a mirror to us to get our attention, and once we're over the initial shock, He lets us know in no uncertain terms that we've been here long enough. It's time to move forward, and that's where I am. So, off we go..... into the new year. :)