New Beginnings and Established Blessings—Part IV
Can you believe that the first month of 2018 is almost over? This is actually the fourth week of the new year already. Because New Year’s Day was a Monday, this is the fourth week of the month. Last week, I shared three things our pastor spoke on early in the month. What do you: 1) want to leave behind from 2017; 2) want to be free from; and 3) want to lay hold of or receive for 2018? Click to Tweet #newbeginnings2018 #establishedblessings2018 #amwriting
I said I’d give you my answers, but before I do, how would you answer those questions? Let’s take a deeper look at them.
Leave Behind 2017
What do you hope you never experience or see again from last year that you can leave behind? What things in your life would you release, let go of? Is it a toxic relationship? Or what about negative attitudes? Have you thought of leaving behind bad habits? Negative events? How you answer this question will be unique and personal to you.
For me, I’m leaving behind doubt and fear. When we experience a lot negative events and disappointments, our faith gets battered. We can begin to doubt God’s goodness or his willingness to work on our behalf. If this happens, it’s hard to believe His truth. We find it difficult believe for anything positive from God because we’re afraid we we’ll be disappointed. And we have a lot of examples to back that up.
via Flickr
Freedom From…
What held you bound last year that you’re having trouble getting free from? Again, a bad habit, bad attitudes, an addiction, wrong desires? Search yourself and I’m sure you’ll know exactly what you need freedom from. I have a young friend who is in the midst of freeing herself from mental strongholds that have held back her faith and actually caused numerous panic attacks. The answer to this is knowledge of scripture. We must know what the Bible says and how to correctly interpret what it says in order to apply it to our lives.
Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
As for me, I’m praying for freedom from a bad habit, too personal to mention, but it’s something I believe God wants to free me from.
Lay Hold 2018
What are your hopes and dreams for this year? Is it to lose weight, as it is for many of us? If so, what’s your plan? Or, do you want to read the Bible all the way through this year? Have you started? It’s not too late. Draw closer to God? Get a new job? Go to school? Dream vacation? Again, how you answer this question about what you want to lay hold of for 2018 will be individual and exclusive to you.
I’m in a great place right now. I’ve been waiting to explore “my destiny” my whole life. Those of you who know me, know I’m in my sixties. “Nice long life ahead—big plans.” I do have big plans. I’m a graduate of Oral Roberts University. One thing President (at the time) Oral Roberts always told us, “Make no little plans here.” I learned to dream big, sometimes too big for what actually happened. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t continue to dream big. I have plans to visit my relatives, old and ‘new,’ to teach writing (and hopefully spiritual development) workshops and retreats, have a couple of book signings, and to release my second novel.
What about you? What’s in your heart for 2018? What move will you make to follow your heart and into your dreams? A thousand-mile journey begins with the first step. Click to Tweet #newbeginnings2018 #establishedblessings2018 #amwriting
Donna L.H. Smith 