It's March 19th. Time to Ring in the New Year!

Photo Credit: Chad Hill

     As the title of this posts suggests, my internal calendar is a mess. For a multitude of reasons, both good and bad, both within my control and without; it finally struck me (in the second half of March) that I should really get going on the things that the Lord has in store for me this year. Honestly, I'm not so sure what even clued me into the fact that the year was getting away from me. Maybe it was colleges finally getting back to my son with acceptance letters, maybe it was Refuge starting their 40 days of fasting program, or maybe it was experiencing the majesty of the Lord as He granted us a few Spring-like days after the rain. For whatever reason, it hit me like a freight train... It's March. Solidly March. As a matter of fact, March will soon be over! 
     Life happens. Things tend to get in our way or get away from us. They distract us from our work and walk with God. For some of you, it's as serious as spending more time with Him that you've been meaning to get to, but you haven't done so for one reason or another. For others, it maybe something simple like having dinner as a family more often as the dining room table sits all by itself... in the dark... once again. It's times like these that we need to be diligent, looking for an opening. It's more about our tenacity, our perseverance, our ability to dust ourselves off, and to either take advantage of a break in the clouds or possibly listen for His still soft voice amidst the chaos and do what you can to draw closer to Him and live abundantly. 
     I want to encourage you today, much like the Lord did for me with those wonderfully mild sunny days in a row. Use today as a spring board to catapult your faith this year. Take a moment to gather proper perspective about who you are in relationship to Christ. Who is He? He is the King, the Comforter, the Righteous One, the Alpha and Omega. And who are you? Your His child, His servant, you are victorious through Him. You were created through Him and for Him. The Holy Spirit lives inside you and He is stronger than any power that is coming against you.
    Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." You are His workmanship, a piece of living art; one that is as magnificent as a warm spring day. One that has design and purpose. How will you respond to the opportunities He is presenting to you each and every day? Whether you have been doing well or you've been distracted so far this year, let me encourage you to get out your hiking boots and commit to be in step with the Spirit today.

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