Today, the last day of another year, I’m drawn again to the Psalms and the words of David. The poetic nature of the psalms reveals God’s heart in a way that especially speaks to creatives — of which I’ve come to embrace that I am one of those up and down creations. The psalms are full of real and raw emotion: angst, anger, fears, tears, pain and desperation. Of contemplation on His complete otherness and commitment to praise and honour the only true God.
As I was reading psalm 139 I was once again struck by this all-knowing God who knows everything about me — the really bad and hidden me, the me that gets so busy with life that often ignores the one relationship that actually can change my heart — and yet this awesome God of the universe that holds the stars in place still has the gracious heart to lead me in his ways and place His hand of blessing on my head (vs5). Oh my goodness He is so patient, He is so kind, He is so unlike me! As David says in this wonderful psalm: “such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand.”
So this year I am determined to welcome change! To pursue and embrace more of His Heart for me — to let it wash over me and let Him radically transform this fragile life, that I’ve mistakenly come to count on, for His glory, for His fame and for my good! This is not meant to be a pie-in-the-sky New Year’s resolution that’s uttered today and forgotten tomorrow, but a heartfelt longing to lean into His presence and to live out the transformation He freely offers! It’s time for change — real change!
My prayer is that by His strength and dependence on His Spirit I will be more honest about my shortcomings, less selfish in my decisions, more cognizant of the needs of others and less dependant on myself. I will also seek to come to grips with the reality that transformation takes time; that the sojourning with each other is not always easy but always joyful because of this I’m completely confident: that true joy is found only in a life lived in the Spirit and one that embraces the journey regardless of the potholes we have to maneuver around.
Speaking of potholes, I have a writing project on the burner called Dodging Potholes! I’m not sure when it will be completed, if ever, but you’ll definitely know when it’s ready!
What is your prayer for this coming season of life? Come on, let’s get real with God and each other and embrace the transformation He has in store for each of us. Change is a comin’ — embrace it with arms and heart wide open!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Psalms 139:23-24 NLT