Inspiring Another Year

Good Morning Lord.  It’s time for a devotional to prepare for another new year and after many years of writing blogs and devotionals, I need an idea to inspire, motivate, and move people to a closer relationship with you.

Lord, in the past year there were moments that were really great and other times there were moments in which life really stunk.  There are periods in life that I get exhausted in offering hope and encouragement for another year.   I take my eyes off You and look around at the events that may control me.  

There are so many people hurting right now from natural disasters, war, sickness, death in the family, or in the loss of a relationship.  What can I say to make people feel good about themselves?  How can I encourage others when I need encouragement?

I have heard that change is good, Lord, but no one said that going though these changes was the good part.  Physically leaving the comfort areas that were developed are sad and scarry, but Lord you are already opening new doors even when I cannot see them.  So what’s my problem?

Maybe I need to look beyond what is directly in front of me and realize that through my relationship with you, that you will protect and guide me. 

As I look back on my life, I can see that it has been better when I allow you to be the driver.  If I had had my way, I would still be working in a factory in Cincinnati.  But with job changes, start-up of a new business, the sale of that business, the loss of finances from my partner not paying me, political life, moves to a new Christian work position, divorce, move to Florida, break up of other relationships, death of my parents, and the startup of another new business, I can see your hand in using each event.  Some events were started by me and others, yet I can see you handiwork.  Nevertheless, I can see where you were in charge during each change or you took the change and did something good with my blunders.  Everything continues to work for the good so I just need to go into this year trusting you more to lead me, instead of me leading my self.

In my youth, Dad used an example of me training one of our steers to be lead.  At first, “Billie” (the steer) resisted, but through persistent tugs, he soon figured that it was better to follow me than resist and then receive correction from a board hitting him on the head.  Soon were walking all over the farm with Billie just paces behind.  One day in the heat, I sat down under the tree and thought that Billie could just lead himself, since he was so well trained.

 As I closed my eyes to rest,  Billie moved away and within moments, he was in the garden eating on some green vegetable that would give him a stomach ache.  Grabbing the rope, I tugged hard to correct the situation.  When my Dad got home from work, he saw the evidence and was furious.  Later he related the incident to how we walk with God.  When we walk with God, he leads us to goodness and safety.  When we go off on our own and don’t rely on a relationship with God, our lives get messed up and only then do we yell for help from the Lord to fix the situation.

As you enter into the new year take one last moment and look back on last year and your entire life.  See where you were close to the Lord and how He handled the tough times and where you were so concerned with yourself that God was left under a tree.  I encourage everyone to spend more that five minutes a day with the Lord.  Talk to Him in your heart before any move this year and then you can look back to see how this will become a year of peace, happiness, and joy.  It’s in the relationship.

Oh yeah,  Thanks Lord for today’s reminder of your guidance, love and protection.