"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!" Matthew 6:22,23
A New Year brings a fresh start; a clean slate; and new motivation for what the year can bring. I look forward to the beginning of another year. I love the freshness of new goals and thoughts and plans of a different or better way. I love a clean, new calendar; no pencil marks, smears or smudges, just empty squares ready to fill in with living.
Every January first I put into my mind a more healthier, organized, efficient way of living than the year before. I want to clean out, redo, spruce up everything in my life and those around me (bless Dana's heart). I have gone through years of 'New Year Resolutions' and some years by February first was dealing with compromises, misgivings, and failures. My pep talk to myself would be, "better luck next year, Kim".
But the last few years I have given myself a reprieve from that tradition and decided to begin what I call, 'Word of the Year'. The first year I tried this my word was 'Intentional' (adj. done on purpose; deliberate). I wanted to live a life of intention. To be forthcoming with my thoughts and plans (to think it is to do it, right?). When a thought of doing something for someone in a big or small way would enter my mind, instead of letting it sit and simmer, I would actually put legs to it and get it done (no procrastinating!).
Over these past few years I have seemed to walk through each year with my particular word in the forefront of my mind and have worked hard on carrying it all the way to the end of the year, praying as I go, and with God's leading I've had much better results.
For this new year 2020 my word is 'Vision' (surprising, huh?). My desire is to see more clearly the things of God and what He has instore for me, and through my eyes my body will fill with light and that light will reach out into this dark world. It might be a new ministry idea, a change in my diet or exercise routine, having a more positive mindset, the possibilities are endless when we let God fill us with His light. I don't want to have such a narrow view that I am full of greed and distrust, who wants to live in a dark, dank cellar? I will throw open my blinds and see the beautiful light.
Girls, may your vision be pristine when it comes to knowing your Savior and following in His footsteps. May His light fill you and may you always keep your blinds wide open so no darkness can enter (Matt. 6:22,23).
"Then Elisha prayed, "O God, open his eyes and let him see." The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw..." (2 Kings 6:17).
I love you & He loves you more!
Dear Lord, May this new year be a year of crisp, clear vision for Your people. May we open our eyes wide in wonder and belief and trust that You will fill us with Your light. May we take that light into this dark world and be generous to shine it wherever we may go. Thank you for the hope of another exciting new year ahead. I anticipate great things! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Happy New Year!