Twenty-Fourteen 2014

2014. Wow. How the years change.  As I write that number, I recall back to writing years in the 1970's.  It really was a different world at that time.

As I consider the year 2014, I did start this year with a few resolutions. Ones I have not fully lived up to yet.  I said I would write a letter a day for the month of January; it's half over and I think I've written four.  I also said I would renew my efforts to lose wight- again four workouts.  I said I would start writing.  Well, at least on that one, I've made some progress.  I started this blog, enrolled in an Intro. Writing Course and am practicing some free writing exercises.  (Don't be surprised if they show up here) 

But really, what prompted me to sit down and write this?  It is the question of God in 2014.  It was probably in 2010-11that my devotion to God's Word really wavered.  I no longer desired to go to church; I didn't want to read the scriptures any longer, and I pretty much embraced self-pity.  I know I was experiencing burnout, and subsequent depression- which is a sure sign of our age of busyness and my driving ambition.  But I also know that my "new" lack of devotion had a lot to do with a faulty foundation in my faith.  I would have spoken, "grace, grace," but in reality I don't get grace.  I lived perfection and performance.  Under the guise of "do all things to the glory of God," I was really doing all things to the glory of me.  Even my daily Bible readings, of which my family was witness to -was me, climbing the ladder of self-importance and acceptance.  I wanted God's acceptance based on my effort.  It's such a trap!  I am accepted - always have been. 

I desire 2014 to represent a change in me.  I don't want devotion to God and the spiritual disciplines to be merely a resolution, I want it to be a passion.  I don't sit down to read or pray because I "have to" or even "get to," but because "I love to."  May desire drive me daily to know Him and be known by Him.  To be honest with myself and my Lord, and experience the power of the Holy Spirit- not because I've carved out a little time to fulfill an obligation, but because I've waited on Him.  May I resolve (if you will) to "get" the love of God, poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. -Romans 5:5