new year, new adventures

When coming to a new year, many people make all sorts of resolutions.

I'm going to lose weight.
I'm going to read more.
I'm going to call my mom more.

And then, these resolutions are made, and what happens? They are as easily forgotten next week as they were made yesterday. I often feel as if New Year's Resolutions are silly. Most are just lip service and don't actually happen. But, a word for the year? THAT i can get behind!

Last year, my word was diligence. I had this word about 2 weeks before the actual new year! I was so excited to see how God would use it in my life in 2016. There were so many unknowns and dreams, but with diligence, the Lord showed me the reward for doing things whole-heartedly. Did i fail sometimes, absolutely. But the process was well worth it.

This year, I struggled finding a word. I was reading the scripture every day in hopes that a word would just jump right off the page! No such thing happened. If you know me well, you know that I don't typically like to do things because other people do them. This word has become very popular as of late. I told God that about Africa...which he gently corrected me in...and I'm glad he did! Anyways, God just kept reminding me of this word abide.

Abide:

1. to wait for

2. a. to endure without yielding

b. to wait for patiently

3. to accept without objection

I love that second definition. To endure without yielding. To stay so focused on a thing you cannot be torn or carried away from it. To stick with it no matter the cost. Yesterday in worship, we sang With Everything by Hillsong. I was overcome with emotion. Then God, as he does, gently reminded me again of his abiding love.

I am not naive enough to think every day for the next year will be filled with rainbows and unicorns, but what I do know, is that God will gently lead me. I need to endure without yielding in His love and His words. Without that, I am nothing and can do nothing.

John 15:7-8

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you will bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciple.

Download this prayer calendar to pray for the Antaimoro people for the month of January!
January Prayer Calendar

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