Going For It: 2020
January 1, 2020. A collection of notes. A journal entry.
I’m learning that when you feel like God has something for you, you prepare for it. You act & align yourself in a way that reflects that.
I want to prepare for the season that’s coming. I want to be all there with where I’m at because I know God will come. It’s not easy.
But there’s joy in the effort.
I’m putting one step in front of the other. I’m remembering our God is a God of process. It’s out of his grace, he brings us through the struggle & the blessing. In-between, I find myself living.
Last year: I learned my job is to show up for what’s important in my life. I can seek the good & lean into the hard.
This year: The season of hiding is over & gone. Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes & plans are bursting forth. The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere.
The fragrance of their flowers whispers, “There is change in the air.” (Song of Solomon 2:10ish-13ish)
here for it.
I want to move energetically. I want to live doubtless. I want to increase my faith. But what exactly does this look like?
At the end of the day, I have this idea in my head — I want to feel spent. I want to be exhausted in the sense of doing everything God has asked me to do. Is that good? Bad?
I’ve decided:
I’m going for it.
What this means to me as I walk the days ahead:
TRUST God’s wisdom. Not my own understanding or my own will power. Trust God’s strength. Like manna, God fuels our body by giving enough energy for each day for us to use up completely. Trust He will provide. Know it’s more than enough. It’s plenty.
REST when I don’t want to — from work, from knowing, from hearing. When you’re given quiet, stay quiet. When you’re granted space, take up space. If time is offered, use it wisely.
Act & PROPEL forward. As I act, I know God will answer. He is at work in us both to will & to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Propel forward in a way that can’t be thwarted by external exhaustion. Remember God is at work. Know that HE propels life forward.
GIVE my family the best of my energy. Remind two people in my house how much I love them. Bring life & love to my home.
Do something that refreshes my soul. GET OUTSIDE for an extra dose of the sun’s energy. Light is life, you know.
Be grateful knowing thankfulness changes me. FIND WHAT’S GOOD in the day. Write it down.
Know my efforts aren’t wasted. Have the courage to “DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING” (as Emily P. Freeman says). Get going by doing whatever needs to happen for our part. God will show up & do what He does best.
Put on peace right now. Put on love right now. Put on joy right now. Put on the armor of God. The power lies within me. I just need to RECRUIT IT & USE IT.
When faced with a hard choice. I will ASK GOD to guide me. I will research, seek counsel, & think hard.
Take hold of what God has for me. Align myself along with it. Face what is to come with new perspectives — FIGHT FOR IT.
Not sit back & wait for a burst of energy. Make smart choices that will fuel the body I’ve been given. WATER FIRST. VEGGIES MOST.
PRAY. Record & remember God is answering my prayers.
HAVE FUN. Wear the colored nail polish. The bolder pink lip. Decide what I want. & not what I want to want. Laugh at the days that go sideways. I don’t have to take myself so seriously. God already has.
Good Reminders. Scripture Included.
MAKING SPACE TO BE QUIET WITH THE LORD BRINGS REFRESHMENT ON A SOUL ENERGY LEVEL.
The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent & remain calm. Exodus 14:14
ENCOURAGEMENT TO KEEP SHOWING UP: CONTINUE MOVING TOWARDS THE “HARVEST”.
But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things left behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
God is my greatest source of energy.
For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, & creating in you the longing & the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
HAVE A TEACHABLE SPIRIT
Search me [thoroughly], O God, & know my heart; Test me & know my anxious thoughts; & see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, & lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24
WISDOM WILL EASE EFFORTS OF LIFE.
If the axe is dull & he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort]. Ecclesiastes 10:10
A SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE, & SOUND MIND.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power & of love & of sound judgment & personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind & self-control]. 2 Timothy 1:7
REACH FORWARD.
Brothers & sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind & reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
DIRECTLY AHEAD. FIXED STRAIGHT. IN FRONT OF YOU.
Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage]. & let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity]. Proverbs 4:25
SERVE IN THE STRENGTH GOD SUPPLIES.
Let him who serves serve in the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God may get the glory. 1 Peter 4:11
GENTLE WORDS
Gentle words are like a honeycomb, Sweet & delightful to the soul & healing to the body. Proverbs 16:24
FIND FREEDOM IN THE GRACE GOD GIVES.
God is able to make all grace abound to you so that you may have enough of everything & may provide in abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
WHEREVER THE SPIRIT IS ABOUT TO GO, GO.
& each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went. Ezekiel 1:12
GET GOING BY DOING WHATEVER NEEDS TO HAPPEN
Believe & trust in the Lord your God & you will be established (secure). 2 Chronicles 20:20
BELIEVE & DO
Show your faith by taking those steps. James 2:21-24
WHEN GOD ANSWERS IN OUR ACTING.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter; & our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2
Prayer
Ask God what the priorities are for the day
Ask God for wisdom
Turn your current state or need into a prayer. (Example: I’m unmotivated. Be my energy & movement.)
Teach me to live a little & to not miss out on the moment.
Help me “measure” less when it’s time for rest & joy
Make known to me the things that deplete me. Help me get rid of them or minimize their power over me.
I need your vision. I’m constantly looking to the left & right & behind me & a thousand steps ahead of me. Show me how to stop calculating & keep my eyes on what’s right in front of me.
Help me make the effort.
Help me hold onto joy.