The new year has come and I didn't have very high hopes or resolutions because, quite frankly, I knew I wouldn't finish anything I started anyway. Well, God had different plans and my New Years has already got off to an amazing start and I now have motivation to keep it going.
First of all, a good friend of mine challenged me to take the 30 days of Christian music challenge and while I've always been a little cynical of Christian music at times, I agreed. I knew there needed to be changes in my spiritual life and I was willing to at least give it a try. Now, I understand it's only been six days, but I'm loving it more than I ever expected. I made a Christian music playlist on my ipod and I can't get enough of it. My two favorite CDs I've listened to the most are Ages by the Apex band(s) and, most recently, "Ghosts Upon The Earth" by Gungor. I encourage you to check it out if you haven't heard of Gungor. "Brother Moon" is my favorite so far, but they're all amazing.
God has been speaking to me in ways I haven't heard in a long time. He has placed specific people in my life who challenge me and encourage me in my walk and who have given me the accountability I've been so desperately in need of. My relationship with Him is becoming closer and I'm learning, again, what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Praise the Lord for his perfect patience and daily grace upon my life.
Pray that I can continue in this passion and discipline for His Word and His presense in my life. Pray that I will have wisdom in life decisions that face me and that I continue to surround myself with the people that will sharpen my faith and that I can sharpen them as well. I pray that I can have the impact and influence on others that I have recently had in my own life.
I am memorizing this passage from the end of Paul's journey: "For I have already been poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8.
