New Years = New Perspectives

It's another new year and everyone is asking... what is your New Year's resolution?

For some it's to lose weight (again), to finish a project (not accomplished since last New Year's), to be smarter, richer, kinder... more generous, philanthropic, successful... change strengths to weaknesses, failures to successes, losses to gains.

Resolutions are hard to nail down, hard to accomplish, hard to even remember at times... they are like that perpetual carrot before the horse; it may be driving us forward but never really satisfying us.

This year I have resolved not to have resolutions... I am determined not to choose that same goal and forget about it by March another year. Not that I have struggled with that ... or anything like it ... or... well you get what I'm saying.

In place of a resolution, I am working on a new perspective (or two or three). Lately a recurring theme has arisen in my life in the midst of a string of challenging set backs and frustrations. You know they say things happen in three's - don't believe them!{Maybe someday I'll list them so we can look back and laugh about it... someday}

Anyway, this string of things crippled me in a soul killing sort of way. As things kept happening, I began to struggle, cry, and crumble. My vision became clouded and dim, day to day my heart grew darker. One week I lashed out - I cried and vented - I surrendered hope and saw nothing but what was unlovely, unhappy, unsatisfying. One long week going where I hadn't been before, where I shouldn't have been. BUT GOD.

But God, in His unfailing mercy and longsuffering and infinite grace, patiently endured my sinful behavior then He began to whisper gracious words into my wicked heart - one small message at a time, each from a different source. Do you know what I am talking about? A quick comment by a Christian DJ on the radio, a line from a "randomly chosen" devotional, a shared thought by a friend who doesn't know where your heart is at, a song that cuts right to the point, a verse you've read a hundred times strikes a bullseye.

As I began to repent of my sin and the scales began to be removed from my sin blinded eyes, the theme that was woven through those messages so skillfully began to emerge clearly... gratefulness, thankfulness. Yes, being grateful no matter what the circumstance. Giving thanks in everything.

Yesterday I read in Job 2:10 these words, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job spoke this AFTER he lost all of his livestock, servants and children. OK, my situation isn't nearly that bad and I had to search my heart with that question... Am I willing to accept good from God and not trouble?

First perspective that I need to renew and live out is trust in God's sovereignty in EVERYTHING.

Second perspective I need to practice and become proficient at is gratitude... true thankfulness in all situations, at all times (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Simply stated: If I can truly live out that first perspective change then the second one will easily follow because they go hand in hand. God is sovereign, I am His child; He's got me, my life, my family, my world firmly in His grip and I am grateful that the God of the universe is at the helm.

You see, God knows exactly what He is doing and how to perfectly work all things together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). The God Who spoke the heavens into place (Genesis 1)never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:3). I can trust His sovereignty and I am grateful.

The heavens declare the glory of the Lord

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales?...

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

"It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in....

"Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing." Isaiah 40:12,21-22,26

God spoke the heavens into place, calls all of the stars by name, and measures the universe with the span of His hand. As you gaze into the night sky, give praise and glory to the One Who is the Author of it all. He is worthy!