2020 Vision: My Top 3 Truths for the New Year

Yes, pun intended from this eye doctor. And the pressure is on. I mean, it is 2020 after all, the year of perfect vision!

So how do I capitalize on this year?  What goals do I set for this year?  How do I make up for all the missed opportunities from 2019?  Time is slipping through my fingers like a handful of sand.

Motivated yet?  Yeah, me either. Just exhausted thinking about it.

That’s why this year will be different. I am choosing NOT to focus on all I can accomplish (or beat myself up for all of my failed attempts) but rather turn my attention on all He can accomplish in me. And let’s remember, there’s no perfect this side of heaven until Christ returns, but by His Grace I can be whole!

As I reflect on this past year, I also look forward in anticipation toward next year. God started a transformation in me in 2019 that will continue to be a journey and a daily commitment to pursue Him.

In 2019 I wanted to focus on kindness…and to be honest, I came up quite short on this one. Why?  I think it’s because I fell into the same habit of trying harder, attempting to be better, relying on my own strength and doing my best to control all the things. All the while He was whispering (ok, shouting) for me to release control, rely on Him.  He is the Navigator of this cruise ship called life, and I’m kidding myself if I think I can be!

My word for 2020 is TRUTH. So let’s just start with a few Truth nuggets that I need to ponder and truly put into action this next year:

➡️ I am ENOUGH in Him:  He created me to be just who I was supposed to be. I am uniquely made for a purpose. Sure, I have weaknesses, we all do, but God is calling me to surrender those to Him. It is through my weakness, through my trials, through the difficulties in life that He draws me nearer to Him. I need to be confident in who I am (and more importantly WHOSE I am) so that I can move from self to service.

Truth:  James 1: 2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

➡️ I am CALLED to speak His Truth boldly in love:  Fear can create a big wedge between God’s vision and my reality. No longer can I compare my life or my faith journey to someone else’s. God created me for a purpose that only I can accomplish through His perfect vision. The only prescription that will give me clarity of sight is His and not my own. He has called us to share His Truth in faith with the world.

(photo cred:  Patrick Fore on Unsplash)

Truth:  Acts 4:31
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

➡️ I must HEAR and OBEY His direction:  How can I hear the voice of God?  I hear His voice when I fix my eyes on Him. I hear His voice when I spend time with Him. But it’s important not to dominate the conversation. This next year I want to become comfortable in the silence, take time to be still so that I can more fully know Him. I can hear God speak through Scripture, the absolute Truth of His Word.  In 2020, I want to cling to His promises in Scripture. I want to memorize His Word and fill my soul with His Truth. He often confirms His Truth through circumstances and through people in our lives. This is why plugging into a church and Christian community is so important as we continue to run our race.

 (Photo cred:  Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash)

Truth:  Hebrews 12: 1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

This Sunday, one of the ministers at Grace Fellowship, Titus, reminded me that I do not choose the race course set out for me. Only God has this control. Yet I am called to run…and keep running. My course will be different than yours, but the destination is the same. I’m running toward His embrace. He is standing at the finish line. Will you join me in running for Him?

Lord,

I know You have plans for my life that include You at the helm. I pray that I would not get in the way of all You hope to accomplish in me through Your Spirit. May 2020 be the year I fully release control of my life to You and submit to Your Will.

In Your Name,

Amen

Ashley

“This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

~Psalm 118:24