And so it Begins

     The year 2014 is here. So many times I thought of a new year as this fresh start, this new beginning. Every new year I have thought, "this is the year, this year something big will happen." Then as every year goes along the build up of expectations turns into disappointment of reality. I'm not saying this in a Debby Downer kind of way, but just that this year I am choosing to be realistic. I don't expect some big out of the ordinary thing to happen, I just expect another year in my walk with Christ. I'm not saying that nothing good will happen this year, in fact for all I know it could be the best year of my life, but I will not put that kind of expectation on it. For now I will choose to see it simply as an opportunity. I have been given more time here and therefore I must seize this opportunity and use it accordingly. According to what? Now that is the big question.
     If I decide that this year I will live for me, I will seek only my pleasure and nothing more then I will more than likely walk away feeling alone (because who wants to be friends with a self-centered person), and displeased with the fraction of satisfaction worldly things can provide for me. Now if I choose to live this year for Christ, striving each day to know Him more personally than the previous and to love those around me more each day, pouring out His grace to all I contact, that will be a year worth living.
     This year I have a new ministry that I want to get involved with. The name of the organization is Elijah Rising, but the mission is so great, so big, I cannot contain my excitement over this project. Elijah Rising, like many other organizations, has an aim to end human trafficking. For those who don't know January is human trafficking awareness month. Also, Houston fights for the number one city in America for human trafficking. Last week I took a tour of Houston with the organization and saw the awful things happening here first hand. After much prayer I have decided I most certainly want to pursue volunteering with them and I hope that y'all will keep me accountable. I will have a training period where there won't be much to share I'm sure, but once I am active I hope to share stories in order to spread awareness.

One of the scriptures they asked us to read through while being in prayer comes from my favorite Psalms.

Psalm 138

¹I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
² I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.
³ On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

⁴ All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
⁵ and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
⁶ For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

     They only told us to read verse 7, but the entire Psalm is such a beautiful display of how the Lord cares for us. When I call, He answers; He increases the strength of my soul! God regards my lowly self. Though I walk through trouble, He preserves and delivers me. The Lord has a purpose for me and He will fulfill it. How comforting to remember all of this for me and for you. 

So with all this in mind - Hello 2014, may you bring me closer to Christ my Savior than ever before.