disappearing act ...

well, it’s a new year and i’m finally venturing back into the world of blogging ... writing at all, to be honest ... and the lack of reflection/processing is becoming readily apparent in my growing sense of disconnection from myself, and subsequently others ... but that is another entry entirely.



today, i wish you all as smooth a transition as possible back into life after what i hope were blessed holidays, and pray you are able to experience God's mercies as truly new & fulfilling as you venture into what God has for you this year.  even through quite a few tears, it was such a joy to spend time reflecting on just that with many of my dearest friends at life group last night.



first, the leader shared from romans 12: 9-21, and challenged us to to live in such a way, not as a seemingly impossible to-do list, but as points on which to focus in replacing bad habits.



i therefore found it very appropriate when this quote came in an email today:
“bad habits fill needs, so find good alternatives for them.” —  martha beck



then, this site was brought to my attention – http://www.1c13.org/ - and i thought it might provide some encouragement in seeking to walk out your resolutions, which really boil down to better loving God, others, and ourselves in the new year.

the sister love passage of 1 corinthians 13 has been brought up many times in my life lately ... and i have to admit that it has been more discouraging than anything, getting caught up in how far i fall short.  it could be said that romans provides tangible applications for 1 corinthians, but is no less overwhelming.  now, i know that it is in drawing closer to the Father that these things are accomplished, but it was 1 cor 13:10 that provided encouragement for me today ...



WHEN PERFECTION COMES, THE IMPERFECT DISAPPEARS



this takes a load off because 1) perfection is obviously not going to be achieved until we reach heaven.  we're not supposed to be perfect here.  God does not expect that of us, and neither should we expect it of ourselves or each other, and 2) we do have the privilege of experiencing "perfect love" (1 john 4:18) here on earth and when we focus on THAT love, the imperfections – in ourselves & others – disappear. it is through perfect love that we can overcome our fear of man – both personal & public opinion, as was so aptly pointed out – and in laying aside that fear, the implicit promise is that we are “made perfect!” finally, in searching for the ‘perfect love’ verse, it also returned 2 corinthians 13:11, which tells us simply to AIM for perfection and, in so doing, the God OF love will be with us. if He is with us, and we are focusing on His love for us and others, then walking in that love – romans 12 & 1 corinthians 13 – is no longer a checklist but a natural result.

i don’t know about you, but i am still waiting on God to figure out what i resolve for this year. i do, however, know that it needs to involve expecting less perfection, laying aside more fear, and learning to rest in the perfect love through which both of those can be accomplished. i pray the same for you!