New Year’s has rolled
around and with it comes all the resolutions, the exercise plans, the
diets, the organizational systems and stuff, and all the wishing and
wanting for a new us.
As
a younger Christian I made a lot of resolutions to conquer facets of my
Christian walk--with full, dedicated abandon--not really understanding
the depth of my need. I remember declaring after a women’s retreat I had
surrendered my attitudes of unbelief to the Lord..yeah. I had, but
unbelief was something I’d have to surrender more than once... a lot more than once!
Now,
I commit myself to seeking growth and to simply be a better Christ
follower than I was last year, to be a better wife than I was last year,
to be a better friend, sister, servant, etc. Better is the goal.
I think completion comes only when we finally awake in God’s presence and in our heavenly home.
So
as we begin this new year, we are going to kick it off seeking God’s
wisdom for a better life. This month’s devotionals will focus on what He
says is “better”... you might be surprised what He brings up and what
He doesn’t! I am praying that we all roll up our sleeves and our
heart-doors and let His word permeate us deeply; that we’d be willing to
act on His “better” directives and make changes so that less obstacles
would hinder us from living the better life He has called us to!
Better Concept #1
The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Psalm 119:72
For her [God’s Wisdom] profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
Proverbs 3:14-15 NASU
I
desire lots of stuff... a clean an organized home, time with friends,
to finish that scrapbook I’ve been working on for forever, to always
remember birthdays (goodnight! that one is on my resolution list every
year!), to get through all the books on my reading list, for these last
few pounds to come off, to never be late to appointments, for the
refrigerator to always sparkle, for my family to be in a constant state
of unity and bliss; and while we're dreaming, for my hair to calm down and
quit being so wild and unruly! These verses say that God’s Word and the
wisdom that comes from it are better than any wealth, career
advancement, prestige, than any clean house or behaving hair... or
anything else you can pile up on that load of wishes.
So
as you and I assess the New Year’s resolutions and priorities for 2013,
getting God’s Word into us ought to rank numero uno! Above our career
goals, financial goals, our goals for all the temporal stuff that feels
like it matters so much but really doesn’t... time in God’s word and
then the effort, sacrifices, changes, or whatever it requires from us to
obey it need to define all the rest of our resolutions.
May God’s word comfort, change, convict, challenge and rescue you this coming year!
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