As 2014 comes to an end and another year is ushered in at the stroke of midnight on January 1, a time of reflection seems to be the logical conclusion to mark an ending and prepare for a new beginning. The chance to look back before looking forward seems to be what is expected and should give us the opportunity to put things in perspective before beginning the new year.
But to be honest with you all, I feel scattered and not able to fully focus. I am a work in progress but I’m not always sure if this is progress that is moving forward, standing still or even stepping backward. My heart is full from family celebrations and the blessings of just knowing that I am loved. My heart is also empty because parts of family are missing and normal is anything but, some days. Life is a whirl of ups and downs, delight one minute, despair the next and a true dichotomy of conflicting emotions that regulate most days but are pulling me every direction today.
The one true thing I can wrap my brain around in the middle of the scattered thoughts is God – His endless love for me, His amazing grace, and His relentless pursuit of me daily.
these people who survived the killing.
Israel, out looking for a place to rest,
met God out looking for them!”
God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!
And so now I’ll start over with you and build you up again,
dear virgin Israel.
You’ll resume your singing,
grabbing tambourines and joining the dance.
You’ll go back to your old work of planting vineyards
on the Samaritan hillsides,
And sit back and enjoy the fruit—
oh, how you’ll enjoy those harvests!
The time’s coming when watchmen will call out
from the hilltops of Ephraim:
‘On your feet! Let’s go to Zion,
go to meet our God!’” Jeremiah 31:2-6 MSG
I am Israel-ever seeking, never fully satisfied, always wanting what someone else has until I finally let myself go and realize that all I had been searching for was right before me, in my reach and I just needed to say “yes”. My search ended when all I had been searching for was actually pursuing me and our worlds collided in one moment of extreme grace and love. My “yes”to God was a heart explosion of new life that is the answer to my need.
God promises when we are uncertain – He will lead us and when we are broken – He will build us up again. This year was my year of delight and there were moments that were exactly that and then some. But it was an intentional desire on my part to strive toward delight that brought me to the place where despair disappears and delight takes it place. God chose the word delight because He knew that I would only find it through Him. My Israelite days of wandering and wondering were changed because God found me in the delight and despair and brought me back to Him each time.
[Tweet “A “yes” to God is a heart explosion of new life that is the answer to your need.”]
As 2015 unfolds, my prayer is that we give all our Israelite moments to Him and let His pursuit of us be all we need to say “yes” over and over to the plan that is ultimately His.
New Year blessings to all! Thank you for joining me here in 2014 and I look forward to more community and growth in 2015.
Mary
Blessed to be linking with:
Unforced Rhythms with Beth Hess
“But it was an intentional desire on my part to strive toward delight that brought me to the place where despair disappears and delight takes it place. ” Oh I love this, and am thinking I need to strive toward delight this year as well. Perhaps that will bring contentment. Hugs!
I love how so many words connect with each other and many times we need one to move us toward the other. I believe that delight can help you reach contentment and God will show you. Be open to all He has for you this year. It’s going to be amazing! Hugs friend!
This 40YearWanderer gal is right there with you. 🙂 You get it … The Plan. It is His, and you get that. That surrender makes pure delight and joy. You shine it!
Thanks Heather! Sometimes the words God give us are not at all what they seem at first glance. Praying that we all get it this year and turn to God for the glory. Love you girl!
I love this! I love the reminder that God pursues us even more ardently than we pursue him. I love the reminder to stand still long enough for him to catch me (in search and rescue, they say that when you think you’re lost, you should stay in one place until you’re found–not wander around getting more lost). Have a wonderful new year, my friend!
God pursuing us is such a beautiful thing and one in which I am forever grateful. I am so blessed that He taught me to let Him “catch” me in order to be my strength in all. I love your friendship and your encouragement. I am looking forward to more community with you in 2015. Blessings!
So much of what you shared resonated today. I really love that passage from The Message, too…especially “God told them, ‘I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!…” Such a good reminder. Blessings and happy 2015! 🙂
Happy New Year to you too, Mel! There is something so dear about God’s words reassuring us over and over and that He loves us. I know it’s what gets me through those difficult moments. Blessed you stopped by.
Dear Friend … I am beyond grateful that the Lord allowed our paths to cross this year. You have blessed me with your heart-words and your faithful companionship on this road. May we keep on encouraging each other with His truths in the year ahead.
And may He be your deepest solace and comfort during those moments that are oh-so-difficult.
Hugs.
I look forward to this new year of continued friendship and the chance to learn and hear from God. May our words encourage, be God-breathed and a gift for others who read them. I am blessed immensely by your friendship and it is something I treasure. Happy New Year! Much love!
Left a message for you before. Not sure it got to you. Anyway…Blessings in 2015!
Your comments made their way into my spam folder but I saved both and am blessed by you and your encouragement. Happy New Year!
I love this, Mary: “His endless love for me, His amazing grace, and His relentless pursuit of me daily.” These words encourage me so much. The last days of the year haven’t been as peaceful and calm as I expected, but I want to move towards delight (joy in God) and away from despair!
I will pray that we all can move toward delight with many “yes” heart explosions in the new year and beyond. I love your encouragement and thank you for hanging here for a little bit. May the New Year be full of blessings of hope and joy!
Beautifully said.
Love you girl.
Look forward to our Crossroads, bible studies and just hanging out times together in the year ahead.
How wonderful to see you here today! I look forward to 2015 and the amazing plan God has for all of us. New Year blessings my friend! Love you!
Many, many blessings to you, Mary, in 2015 and beyond. And YES…to God. YES to Him always even when we do not know the end from the current streaming. He is…and we are…and every YES brings healing and growth and a knowing Him more closely. Thanks for a thoughtful and great post.
How wonderful to see you here today, Sheila! I’m smiling big just knowing you stopped by. I’m praying for lots of “yeses” in 2015 because each one will bring me closer to God. I am thankful for you and your friendship! I hope to see you here and at The Weekend Brew on the weekends for the weekly link up if you want. Have a beautiful day and a new year of hope and joy!
Oh, I so get this Mary. You capture where I am at right now wonderfully. And since I am hanging out with the Isrealites these days as I study the Life of Moses your words really hit home. Love you, friend. So grateful for you. Happy New Year.
I am relating to all the Israelites went through too recently and pray that the scattered feeling of uncertainty fades as I learn to lean more on God. I know the way out of the desert is through the grace of God and I need to say “yes” everytime He extends it to me. I am grateful for your friendship and look forward to 2015 as a time to deepen relationships and follow hard after God with you and the rest of this beautiful community of writers. Happy New Year!