Leaning Forward

With the closing of 2008 and the birth of a brand new year, January 1st  is not a time for me to set new year’s resolutions (like I’d keep them anyway). Instead, I’ll spend January 1 looking back at the year that was. When I look back at 2008, I want to know two things: (1) what did I leave behind?, and (2) did I make choices that “moved me in the direction of the person that I want to become?”.

In the book of Judges, when Joshua and his generation died, it tells us that there was a generation that did not know the Lord and the work He had done. Initially, you might say “how could they forget?” or “it’s their own fault”. I tend to ask, “did anyone tell them?”.  “Was there anyone that sat down and told them?” If we’re not careful, we can get caught up in the hassles of everyday life, and we’ll forget to invest in the next generation.  Whatever your occupation, each day will present an opportunity to deposit something life giving to another human being. If I seized those moments in 2008, then I can look back and say this year was a success.

As 2009 rolls in, there are so many uncertainties that hang in the balance. (1) the political landscape of our country (2) a sluggish economy, and (3) the tumultuous Middle East just to name a few. I know this may seem sacrilegious, but when it comes to God, in the practicality of everyday life, there is a lot of uncertainty as well. Do I move here? Do I buy this house? Do I go to this school? Do I marry this person? What is God’s will for my life?

       … following God is filled with adventure, risks,            unpredictability, and uncertainty.

The truth is we just don’t know. I just started a new book by Mark Batterson called  Wild Goose Chase. His premise is that chasing down God and God’s will for our life is like a goose chase, it’s filled with adventure, risks, unpredictability, and uncertainty. All of which call for faith. It’s a journey and the journey is just as important as “your answer” to what God’s will is. Why, because God is committed to the process of moving us to the person that He wants us to become, and that means that we make choices based on courage not comfort or convenience. Don’t underestimate the process! If there is one thing that’s certain about 2009, it will be filled with uncertainty.