So a new, unwritten chapter begins as we awaken to the blank pages of 2017! I’m one to hold goals and dreams loosely since I know the unwieldy nature of my own will, and the power in seeking first the heart of God.
Because of my unwieldy will, I also reject the popular notion of New Year’s resolutions — however, I’m intrigued by author Parker Palmer’s idea of creating New Year’s revolutions that help us claim a commitment to stand against injustices in our world. I like to think this really means deepening our commitment to Christ’s way, participating in setting the oppressed free, in peacemaking and spreading love.
Our New Year’s revolutions begin by identifying and unleashing our unique, God-given spiritual gifts for unfolding a meaningful year participating in God’s revolution. Yet, this takes discipline — carving out quiet time daily for reading scripture while contemplating the heart of God and God’s desires for us in this place and time. It means shutting out the world, giving up petty New Year’s resolutions, poising ourselves like deers in the silent wood with ears perked, awaiting God’s voice and direction, heeding the words of the prophet Isaiah, “when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
Sometimes God will ask us to forgive someone, or forgive ourselves, or to feed the hungry, or create an art project that helps someone heal. Sometimes we’ll hear a deeper call to faith, a call to “walk on water”, a sense these past days of God’s call for me in 2017.
In turning our gaze toward the heart of God in faith, in listening for God’s call, together we blast our tailor-made revolutions into a dark night!
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. – Matthew 5:14
You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness.-1Thessalonians 5:5
HAPPIEST 2017! May it be a blessed year immersed in God’s unfolding love.
WE LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!
Great way to look at it!!
Resolutions never work, but Christ’s revolutions do..Blessings!
“….heeding the words of the prophet Isaiah, “when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”” I love this verse that you shared. And revolution instead of resolution points the way Jesus wants us to be-“fireworks” in our world. But yes we have to take time to hear Him first, which I know is something I need to do better this year. Thank you for this inspiration today!
Happiest New Year Lynn!
YES to this!! — identifying and unleashing our unique, God-given spiritual gifts for unfolding a meaningful year
so many people long to be able to do other things and never realizing that their gifts are perfect for them and those around them.
Blessings to you Marie in unfolding your gifts for the new year!!
Indeed it is time to resist injustice with peace AND rigor. There is much work to be done and Christ, Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela are 3 beautiful spirits whom I hold up as heroic models of revolutionaries for justice. “We are all children of the light…children of the day”. I pray for Christ’s guidance along the revolutionary actions I will be taking. I pray that I may be like Atticus in To Kill A Mockingbird ….who after being spit on….in the face…..for defending and innocent black man….he gracefully took a handkerchief from his pocket …..wiped the spit from his face ….and said to his daughter: “Come on Scout, it is time to go home.”
wow! I have the chills reading your words reminded by such power in the words of Atticus. What strength and faith to emulate, what a witness to turning the other cheek. May we all be blessed this way, this year! Onward, inward, fueled by Thy Will be done!
As always, you have inspired me to enter this New Year with faithful steps, listening to God’s call and diving deeper into His plan for me. I LOVE that verse… I think I’m going to copy it and paste it on my computer so I can be reminded daily to use God as my guide in where to put my next steps.
THANK YOU, my friend. You bless me.
May 2017 be a wonderful year!! Looking forward to sharing and inspiring one another!