On most New Year’s Eves, I attend an early service at church and then toast in the New Year with my family at home. We returned to this tradition after my boys informed us that they missed doing certain things as a family. Ringing in the New Year at home, instead of church was one of them. Last year, as a compromise my husband (a deacon} and I (a minister) decided that we would attend the early service as a family and then come home.
This year, that didn’t happen. While the husband and the boys attended the 8 pm service, I was snuggled deep under my covers trying to get over a sinus infection. I got out of the bed at 11:58, walked to the den, made a toast and returned to my bed. I barely remember clinking wine glasses filled with sparkling grape juice.
After almost 2 weeks of being sick (and working all the while), I’m starting to feel a little better. So, I decided to write a simple Happy New Year, New Decade, New You kind of blog post. I’ll probably post it in a few weeks because, yeah, my head is still a bit cloudy from the sinus infection.
Today, I want to share a sentiment my pastor gave our church for 2020. Since I joined the church in 2016, there have been clever words or calls to action for the year. Be Great! No Limits. This year, it’s Make It Happen. That’s it. This is not an encouraging word. It is a command.
We strolled through 2018 encouraged to be great. A reminder to just be who God created us to be. Then, 2019 was the year of no limits, because we are children of a God who can do anything. With all of that, so many of us didn’t reach our professional, financial, relationship or spiritual goals. I wonder why?
Make It Happen
What exactly is it? It is that dream that’s gone deferred because of fear and the perceived lack of resources like time, knowledge, and provision. I wrote perceived lack because, if we believe what we say we do, well, at least at my church, we serve the God of all creation who can do anything. But…
He, you know the God of creation, requires us to do something, too.
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” Genesis 1:28
Your it only happens when you do something. This it is your fruit. When you do the work and trust God, the blessings flow. Remember, the scripture says “God blessed them and said to them.” This means the blessing of fruitfulness and increase is already there but you must do your part to receive.
But, what about trusting God. Your trust in God is only evident when you pursue or toil over the things he’s called you to do. Remember, James 2:17-18, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” In other words, faith isn’t enough.
What are you prepared to make happen?
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