Ready for a New Year!

As another year draws to a close I like to take some time to ask the Lord for a word for the coming year. It's not a resolution or change I claim to make, but asking what the Lord wishes to show me for the coming year. I don't necessarily ponder on this greatly throughout the year, though I often get a few books to help me with the topic. But, I'm always amazed at how the Lord brings this back to my awareness throughout the year.

I put the word or phrase on a notecard and often have some phrases to go with it and a picture that feels as if it fits. For me I have an arrangement of my past words and current word in my closet. It makes my heart happy to see this!

This is another way to be silent and allow the Lord to lead you. If you are interested in how to go about this I'll leave a few steps.

The first step is to become silent. Take time to quiet your soul. Focus on your breath if you need help calming your spirit. When you feel calm and quiet ask the Lord, what is the word you want to give me for the coming year?

I will journal about what I feel the Lord speaking to me. And I love that He will often expand my understanding of the word or phrase throughout the coming year, but especially solidify it for the next few weeks.

Next I will often google the word or phrase until I find an image that matches the spirit of the word. Such as this one for my phrase this year.
 

I love to read so I will often check amazon.com for books that call to me on that word or phrase. I've never been disappointed yet when I follow my heart!

Follow your heart with what calls to you. I've heard of some people doing a poster board full of quotes and pictures of their word. Others find a song that goes with their word for the year. Still others will do artwork. None of it is wrong and if you follow the Lord, you can't get it wrong!

I'd love to hear in the comments about if you've tried this in the past and what works for you. I'd also love if you feel led to share, what's your word for 2018? How did this process go for you? Blessings!

Trust the Process

Recently I was reading in Revelation was about how Satan will be bound for 1,000 years so he cannot tempt anyone. Something I've been pondering lately is why didn't the Lord do this from the start? Why allow Satan the freedom to deceive His children? It hit me that the Lord has an awful lot of trust in this thing called the human race. Somehow He knows this process is for our betterment and refinement.

This passage was from the end of the Bible, so if we go way back to the beginning in Genesis, is it different?

In Genesis 3 notice that God has trusted Adam and Eve enough to not to micromanage them at every moment. He doesn't smother them every moment of every day. They are alone in the Garden and in that moment Satan decides to slide in and work his deception. It works. He makes them doubt God's goodness. Satan helps them start to want power for themselves. He may start it but the man and woman continue this lust for being greater than they are. But at what cost? As soon as they eat the fruit, they realize they are naked! They are vulnerable! How ghastly. They quickly cover themselves up so as not to feel shame at their nakedness, their vulnerability. And so all this hiding begins.

Notice as God comes walking through the Garden, does He shame them? No He asks questions, he called them out of hiding. They are the ones who continue to hide, even as they are invited out. They can't even handle being naked and vulnerable in God's presence. And He loves them enough to make clothes to cover them. To help them be comfortable in His presence, even if it puts a hindrance in their relationship.

They've screwed up big time and God isn't worried! He stays inquisitive and open, but they shut down and blame others instead of taking ownership for their part and admitting their stuff. It doesn't worry God. He isn't all of a sudden nervous because His creation didn't follow His instructions. He doesn't decide to micromanage and now make sure they follow the rules. Somehow, He knows it will all work out.

God held to the boundaries and sent the humans out of the Garden so they couldn't live forever in this state, which is really quite loving. But He didn't shut them out of relationship with Him. He kept trying to find ways to show them how He loved them and was waiting for them. He was and is willing to fill our deepest needs in ways only He can if we are willing to let Him and not be deceived by all the lures of the world.

I want to be like this. To trust the process. To stay open and inquisitive even when those around me shut me out. To set up boundaries, but yet to be there ready and waiting with open arms for when they are ready to open up, even when there is pain in the process. While I know I cannot do this perfectly as God does, and I won't fill the deepest needs of those that turn to me, I can learn my path by being open and inquisitive with myself. To trust the process of my path, even when it feels like I 'failed'. I feel a peaceful calm inside my soul as I contemplate this Simple Trust. That is what I desire. To stay calm when my world is shaking, knowing that God is charge of it all.

If as you try to journey along this journey of life you find yourself stuck, in pain, or unable to move forward, feel free to contact me. I meet with individuals who desire to find deeper connection with God in the circumstances in life, but things seem to get in the way of this connection. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in an appointment or just to see if Inner Healing is a fit for what you are needing right now. loriyoder (@) maplcitychapel (.) org