Something New

"Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise"  (Isaiah 43:19-21 NASB).

Today we’re not a nomadic people, wandering in the wilderness of the desert. Rather, many of us live in the midst of our own personal wilderness. Our strongholds, our struggles, our challenges, and our sins all separate us from the God who made us His chosen people; the people whom He formed for Himself.

Over the last several months, I have been roaming around in my own spiritual wilderness. While I don't like to spend time adrift and feeling isolated, I understand and accept that it is part of the journey -- and a crucial part of God's process of refining, preparation, and perfecting. God continues to provide a “roadway in the wilderness” and leads me to “rivers in the desert.” In my personal life, I have had to make some pretty tough decisions about what obedience to God's leading looks like.

He is doing something new in and through me! While I have loved every minute of my time as the "God's Wonder Woman" columnist and have so appreciated the encouragement and support of readers, God is leading me in other directions. This will be my last post. I am going to be cutting back on my writing for the near future and this is one of the things I realize I need to let go of.

At the dawning of this new year, we each have yet another opportunity to begin anew—in whatever area(s) of our life need restoring, re-energizing, or correction. God has promised us He will provide everything we need to live an abundantly joyful, remarkably blessed life. We need only to be aware of His working within and through us—and through others in our lives to enjoy the gift He offers.

2009 was not a terrific year for many by man's standards. That could be said about my family's year as well. My husband's continuing struggle to find full-time employment, the stress of financial realities related to lack of adequate employment, my returning to work full time, serious health issues of family members, and close friends going through trials of all kinds pretty much wore us down. We struggled financially, emotionally, and spiritually to stay afloat. But God has been ever faithful!

So often in the past when I found myself feeling alone in the wilderness, I would rush off into whatever direction appeared to be correct at the time. Yes, God does let us run off and do our own thing! He loves us so much he just can’t let us flounder around on our own, though! Even when we think we've strayed too far, God is there to catch us and woo us back into His loving arms!

God knows all too well my own propensity to be stubborn and rebellious, and I rejoice that He loves me anyway! So even though in my past I have been somewhat wayward, this year I am striving to be obedient. I will continue hosting my Writing from Life blog, Divinely Designed. My other blogs will be phased out this month and I have opened a new blog, Just Be Frugal. Both of these blogs will allow me opportunities to minister to those in need of encouragement, support and some real, practical advice on how to survive tough times--spiritually and economically.

The frugal living blog was not something I thought up! It is truly a divinely inspired idea that grew out of my desire to help others. It is a story of obedience, patience and answered prayer regarding my genuine desire for clarity and direction from God.

I'm evaluating other areas of my life as well. Last year, I lost 40 pounds. I have 30 more to go to reach the weight that would make my doctor happy. I continue to let go of anger issues and have declared 2010 the year of "JOY" for me. Every morning when I open my eyes, I remind myself to be joyful. It really does set the tone for the entire day. So even though I am having to give up and let go of some of the things that make me happy, they are being replaced with the JOY of knowing I am in God's good and perfect will for me and my life!

In His mercy and grace, God has used the past year to mold and shape me to be more like the person He envisions and desires for me to be. I have been tested to be patient and wait upon the Lord to lead me to all that He has prepared for me.

Rather than make a resolution to lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more or give up something that is detrimental to your health and life, let’s resolve to declare God’s praises for making us His chosen people.

My prayer today is that you turn over to God whatever struggles you have in your life. And that you rejoice that you are one of God’s chosen one’s, formed for Himself in His image.

Comments

[Lindy Abbott]

You started with one of favorite verses for hope... "rivers in the desert" is such a perfect picture of what God can do. Thank you for sharing honestly your "issues" - sometimes I think I am alone, struggling with mine. It helps me to know I am normal... I guess.