New Year’s Resolutions?

I don’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions. My take on doing something new, changing a habit, or trying to “do better,” is: Why wait until January first? Like quitting smoking. . . . Can’t you just begin now?

In that regard, I’d like to share a life changing experience that I had some years ago. My goal was to hear from God . . . truly hear from Him, because I needed Him so much more once I became a widow. I’d like to talk about journaling.

I know many people journal as an extension of “Dear Diary” days, reporting daily events, feelings and thoughts regarding school and love interests.

My father kinda journaled, making notes in a calendar. His anecdotes included daily events and humorous comments.

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Note in Dad’s Journal: “Today Lois broke her ankle trying to save the kitty from getting laid.”

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I’m talking about taking the time to reflect on God’s word and on what He’s speaking to my heart through it. I’ve just concluded Streams in the Desert and am excited to jump back into my favorite devotional for the new year.

Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. It’s a 365-day devotional, so you can use it for the entire year. This particular devotional is written from the point of view of Jesus. The author experienced His words to her on a daily basis regarding her personal walk with Him, and she, in turn, has shared with us, the readers. While there are times when the monologue doesn’t fit my life for that day, I find that to be a rare occurrence.

Some have argued that she, Young, is “channeling” Jesus, I disagree. Everything that Jesus “speaks” in the devotional writing is borne out in Scripture. There is nothing contrary to the Bible or God’s nature–no new revelation or crazy ideas.

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Jesus Calling Devotion For December 31- As this year draws to a close, receive My Peace. This is still your deepest need, and I, your Prince of Peace, long to pour Myself into your neediness. My abundance and your emptiness are a perfect match. I designed you to have no sufficiency of your own. I created you as a jar of clay, set apart for sacred use. I want you to be filled with My very Being, permeated through and through with Peace.

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See what I mean?

First, a little background on my journey toward journaling.

While I have been reading the Bible every day since coming to Christ thirty-five years ago, I had no discipline regarding journaling. While attending the City Church in Redding, CA, the congregation began using the Life Journal which utilizes the SOAP acronym. Using the Life Journal taught me to read through the Bible in a year and journal. It was a struggle at first, but I have become more consistent over time. The acronym reminds you to focus on one Scripture, make an Observation in regard to it, Apply it to your life, and finally write a personal Prayer.

When I was younger, working, managing a household, I found little time for anything more than a chapter or so in the Word. I was all about knowing information about God, rather than having relationship. And as you know, relationships take work. I never felt like I had the time. In truth, my priorities were “out of whack.”

I learned, however, that making time to immerse myself in scripture and reflecting on a word, phrase or sentence, brought me deeper in my relationship with God. It got my day going in the right direction. Now that I am older and living alone, my routine includes worship time, daily reading, devotional time and prayer. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? It can be discouraging to think you have to do ALL of that every day. And you don’t.

(If you haven’t developed a discipline, I suggest doing one or two of the activities I mentioned to get started. While some “Through the Bible in a Year” plans require reading up to four chapters (old and new testaments), I recommend beginners focus on smaller portions. When I first started reading the Bible, I couldn’t believe people got through it in a year. It took me two.)

Some people can be intimidated by the demands of SOAP, but that’s not the goal of the journal. The goal is to get you focused on a process of letting God’s Word speak directly to you. I confess that some days, I wouldn’t write at all. Other times, I’d just write down a scripture or two. Maybe I’d repeat them to myself throughout the day. Sometimes, I’d combine the Observation and Application, or the Application and Prayer. Guess what? Nobody was checking up on me or grading my output. Nobody checked my spelling and grammar. But in my typical fashion, I researched the words in Greek and/or Hebrew, cross-checked with other scriptures and translations and drew erudite conclusions. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

But it wasn’t enough. I wanted Him to speak to me just as He did to the apostles and early disciples. And that happened . . . maybe once or twice a year. I was discouraged and frustrated. I had no idea what to do next. A young woman in my church, we’ll call her Katrina (because, actually, that’s her name) suggested that I simply start writing. So I did. I began writing something, anything, whether related to the scripture or not. And then it happened. I experienced what Young did . . . Jesus spoke directly to me. My hand flew across the page. He addressed the issues I was facing at that moment. He spoke to my heart in real time.

Drawing near to the Omnipotent Power of the Universe requires effort and desire and persistence on our part. The world and the powers that are in it will try to distract you, dissuade you and discourage you, but fight the good fight, because the prize is worth it. Set aside time to be with the One Who loves you like nobody else. Speak to Him and allow Him to speak to you.

We in Foursquare believe that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” We believe that the Holy Spirit is speaking to people still. But how will we hear if we don’t take the time?

My prayer for you, whether older or younger, new in the Word or not, is that you won’t wait until you are looking at 60 in your rearview mirror to have your life changed by God; to hear from Him on a personal level and KNOW it’s His voice.