Spiritual Resolutions

Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18 (MSG)

Over New Years, my family got together and discussed this year's resolutions. Realizing how often resolutions fail for the majority of people, my sister shared how each year she makes a spiritual goal. Several years ago, one of her spiritual goals was to get to know the Holy Spirit better, to become more familiar with His voice. As she read through the Bible and came across verses pertaining to the Spirit, she would highlight them and know that verse was for her. If the end of the year came and she felt like there was more to learn, she would make that resolution again the next year. What a fantastic idea! What a way to intentionally place ourselves in a position to grow spiritually.

We often think of growth as not enjoyable and hard work, and it is. However, growth is amazingly freeing. Over this last while, my heart has been in a process of refining and trimming. I am so thankful. God is showing me the vital importance of living out my faith. As basic as that sounds, it is profound to me. Living out our faith comes down to loving and obeying. It comes down to not only professing but obediently doing - from the little to the big, from the inconvenient to the opportune, from the effortless to the gut-wrenching. And what joy and peace come from obeying! My spiritual goals for 2010- intentionally living out my faith, knowing His voice and growing in His grace. What are your spiritual goals for 2010?

Lord, grow us more and more that we gain strength, hear and obey Your voice, love deeply and reflect You. Amen.

Jocelyn Hamsher