Every year, when the calendar season starts fresh, I get super excited. It’s like the slate is wiped clean and I have a fresh start.
Then I ruin it by creating all these lists of things I want to do. Lose more weight, eat healthier, read my bible more, exercise more. Usually by this time, three weeks or so into the New Year, I’ve already failed at most of my resolutions.
It’s exhausting. Wanting to be more. And feeling like you are never enough.
Can you relate at all?
What if this year we stopped wanting to do more, more, more? And just became satisfied filling ourselves up with more of Jesus? What if He was more than enough?
Last weekend, I found myself up before sunrise filled with anxiety over my ‘unofficial’ list for 2015. I sat in the quiet of my home, pondering the year ahead, with a warm cup of coffee in my hand. As I rested in the presence of the Lord, the sun began to rise and I heard Him whisper “I am more than enough.”
The sun was rising, signifying a new day. A glimmer of sunshine on the newly fallen snow caught my eye and it gave me hope for a year filled with endless opportunities to choose good over evil; kindness over crudeness; faith over self.
My unofficial to-do list went right out the window as I began to reflect on what light signified in our faith journey this year.
I was reminded of Matthew 5: 14-15 (ESV) –
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
Endless opportunities await for us to be the light in a dark, fallen world this New Year.
We have to-do lists a mile long and more than enough to keep us occupied and stressed. But we need to stop and reflect:
Just as the moon reflects the glory of the sun, we must let the light that is Jesus shine in us as we go throughout our busy day.
Let your light shine in your home this new year. More hugs, less anger. More smiles, less tears. More patience, less anxiousness. More kindness, less complaining.
You are the light of the world. Let the brilliance of Jesus shine through YOU! {tweet}
How will you let God’s light shine brightly in your relationships, attitudes and work this year?
Hey Nicki …. YES! This is the kind of to-do list I want to live out …
‘More hugs, less anger. More smiles, less tears. More patience, less anxiousness. More kindness, less complaining.’
So well said. Often hard to live out.
Weekend joys, friend!
;-}
I totally agree Linda, easier said than done. But so worth the journey and the effort it takes to draw nearer to Him! Blessings! xoxo
Hi Nicki! I have a list that looks a lot like yours! Seems like the New Year is a time to trot out all the ways we think we have failed, and set ourselves up for failure again. Exhausting is right!
When I think of being light, or a reflection of light, it doesn’t require any action of my own. It’s Christ shining through me, no matter my weight, BMI or exercise habits. And it has nothing to do with failure either. Just wanting to be that, and fixing my eyes on him. Yes. That’s a great goal for 2015!
Wishing you a blessed New Year,
Ceil