I sure have seen a lot of runners in the neighborhood since January 1. In fact at 6:00 a.m. on New Year's Day my husband awoke to the sound of runner's feet passing by our house. Now that's someone taking his "I shall begin running for exercise" New Year's Resolution seriously.
Later that day I glanced out our TV room window and saw a gal jogging up our street--backwards. How do you suppose her New Year's Resolution was worded? Next day I went around the corner to get my hair cut. More runners. You can tell they're new joggers. They don't have that easy body flow of an experienced runner.
Wonder how long I'll be seeing them? I'm thinking the crowds are sure to thin by mid-January.
As for me--I have no New Year's Resolution. I have a New Year's Revolution. It came in the form of a Bible verse as I was reading the Psalms a few days before Christmas. Many of you know I read and pray the Psalms daily--so I've seen this particular psalm hundreds of times. In fact it happens to be in the middle of a passage I particularly love. (Psalm 138:7-8.) But this time the beginning of verse 8 leapt out at me: The Lord will accomplish what concerns me. This is from the New American Standard. The NIV reads: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.
In 2009, particularly toward the end of the year, I found myself caught up in all kinds of fears. The world is shaky today, politically and economically, and personally amongst many families. The publishing industry has been hard hit. 2010 could prove to be another difficult year in many respects. Then, boom, God hit me over the head with that verse. Seven little words that can make a world of difference in how I handle 2010. The bottom line of that verse is trust. What a revolutionary thought. Imagine what would happen if we all could truly trust that God will accomplish what concerns us--and let the rest go.
Right away I made a sign of the verse in huge letters and hung it to the left of my computer on one of my cabinet doors. The minute I enter my office that white rectangle catches my eye.
Man, did God time this verse just right. A few days after I made my sign, I received the most hurtful reader letter I've ever gotten. Talk about a way to kick off the new year with optimism for my writing--not. (More on this letter tomorrow.) No New Year's jogging resolution for me. I've been running for 29 years. I'm praying my 2010 New Year's revolution will last that long. Well, longer. For the rest of my life.
8 comments:
Brandilyn, thank you for this. 2009 was a year of fear and discouragement for me. Fear is a familiar enemy but discouragement was a new contender. I spent the year making lists divided in two: Things I Can Control, Things I Can't Control. That verse from Psalms is the perfect answer to my anxiety. Thank you for your willingness to be open!
This is timely for me as well. Thank you for this post. I was just discussing this with a friend last night and though I knew it I couldn't find any reference to the fact that God gives us the desires of our heart.
Not meaning he gives us everything we want but that He places those desires. When trials come (like your letter- SO sorry!) we can know that God is accomplishing everything through us that He desires.
If I am ever in a position of being critiqued or sent "fan" mail I think I'll hire someone to read them first and filter if needed. Ha!
Bless you Brandilyn you are an inspiration and a great novelist.
How very like our loving Lord to give you the verse that you needed before you had to make it through that hurtful letter. I love that verse, and will also being printing it out for my desk. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, too, for the free Kindle version of Exposure. I started it last night! I have all of your other books in hardcopy, but my preference is to read books on Kindle, so this is great.
Lastly - did you know you made a pun? "I'm thinking the crowds are sure to thin by mid-January." If all it takes is two weeks of running to "thin me out", then sign me up! ;-)
Great perspective on New Year's Resolutions. I have been working out regularly for two years now, a far cry from 29 years ;-), but it's interesting to see everyone flood the gym during the first few weeks of January. Then, as time passes, the only people I see at the gym are the regulars. Human nature is so interesting.
Prayers that this will be an uplifting and fearless 2010 for you! God bless you on your writing.
Haha, Sheri, may all us joggers "thin out." :]
What a great post! I love the way Scripture jumps out that way at just the write/right time. Blessings in 2010 as those purposes are fulfilled.
Great post and great verse. Thanks for sharing.
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