As I've started the year with Renew as my One Word, I've wavered between the feeling of comfort I first felt, and the feeling of needing something to do.
Let me explain. Three years ago, I spent the year learning to trust God. It felt like the word Trust was always in the air. When I struggled, it reminded me to trust Him. When I didn't understand why life was the way it was, trust was the action word I needed. Trust was something I could practice and improve on.
Praise was the same way. When things went well, I reminded myself to praise God. When life was far from going well, I made myself praise Him. Over the year, praise felt more natural. I learned not to wait for the big things or until the end of the day, but to praise Him in the small moments throughout the day.
Last year, I learned to let go of what I want and accept God's plan. To let go and know that He has everything under control, even when I don't—especially when I don't. When I let go, I stopped struggling against Him and rested with Him.
Renew feels different. Although it's a verb, I don't feel like it's something I'm supposed to do. At least not right now. When I knew Renew was my One Word, the comfort came in the possibilities of what God might renew in my life, not in something I was supposed to do.
So, I've been pondering how to live out Renew, and here's what I keep coming back to...
While I wait on God to see what He will renew, I'm not to sit idle, but rather, continue what I've learned.
Trust. Praise. Let go…Repeat.
Trust Him in everything. Praise Him continuously. Let go of what I'm clinging to so that I can embrace His plans for me.And then repeat the process again.
Have you ever felt like it was time to put into
practice what God had been teaching you?
In Christ,
Love the encouragement of this post, Laura!
ReplyDeleteMy word for the year is 'wisdom', as in I walk to walk in His rather than my own.
Blessings to you and yours this new year! (I'm visiting from Everyday Jesus)
I believe trust is something everyone can improve on, including myself. Sometimes we pray and want things in our time as oppose to God's time.
ReplyDeleteso hard to let go and trust. I heard a speaker this week remind me of Steven Covey's circle of influence and circle of concern. Those things in the circle of concern are the things we can't control and those are the prayer concerns I keep clinging to, worrying over and trying to change when I am powerless. Remembering that has begun to help me let go and trust God with those things. Interesting image, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI feel that God is renewing me everyday. Teaching me to rely on and just continue to seek His will in my life and obey.
ReplyDeleteDropping by from Spiritual Sundays and my entry is: Are you carrying a heavy load?
I feel that God is renewing me everyday. Teaching me to rely on and just continue to seek His will in my life and obey.
ReplyDeleteDropping by from Spiritual Sundays and my entry is: Are you carrying a heavy load?
Although it's a verb, I don't feel like it's something I'm supposed to do. Love that! Renew is a great word. I look forward to hearing more about it as the year goes on. Your neighbor at Sunday Stillness and the Weekend Brew.
ReplyDeleteI love this Laura, so much. I can use this wisdom as I struggle walking out my One Word - content. Thanks for sharing at The Weekend Brew.
ReplyDeleteRenew, to be made new, His mercies are new every morning, the renewing of the mind...so much richness in this word, Laura!
ReplyDeleteGreat word for 2015! It'll be exciting to see how God uses it and teaches you through it. Thank you for sharing what you've learned so far and how you're applying it as you wait on Him. It's a blessing to follow you at The Weekend Brew! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, I just wrote a reply and it disappeared so if it shows up that there's two, that's why. I had said that I'm glad you posted this because I picked a word this year for the first time. My word is focus. I really loved how you said that renew isn't something you are to do, but something God will do in your life.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Laura, every day! Sounds like God has been preparing you for this year of renewal! Blessings,
ReplyDeleteYes! God has been pursuing me for years and has promised that He has so much in store for me. Now I need to trust praise and repeat and God will reveal in His timing. Blessed you joined us at The Weekend Brew.
ReplyDeleteThis is so my heart too, Laura! My pattern has been similar... Trust, Stand, Grow, Rest/Repeat. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is great, I especially love "When I let go, I stopped struggling against Him and rested with Him." It reminds me of God's ever-present arms to sustain us (Is 41:10). Thanks for linking up with Grace & Truth!
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