Standing Strong and Steadfast

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Theme for 2013: Standing Strong and Steadfast in 2013

Have you ever felt like you hit the wall? You've been there done that, and it seems there is nothing new. It seems like things only get hard, without any inspiring moments. You know and believe all the right things but something is still missing. This is how I have felt over this past year.  I've had this mis-understanding throughout my Christian walk and it is one that was difficult to recognize for me.

This mis-understanding is that it doesn't matter what I know, but rather what I do.

S o u n d s  s  o  s i m p l e  d o e s n' t  i t?

I t' s  n o t.

I've known this for a long time.

But I have never done anything about it.

Why?

What causes me to not stand strong? Why do I experiment with just how much sin I can righteously get away with? Why do I do what is either secret, or is "culturally" acceptable to please myself?

Have I really become so comfortable in my sinful lifestyle of apathy that I can't see anything as wrong? Have I really replaced God with myself on my throne?

It needs to stop. Right now. But I feel so trapped. Stuck in a dried glue of wrong choices and hard mistakes.

What can melt this glue? What can set me free? I don't just need a new page to turn over this year, I need a new book.

As this year closes I look back with slight despair. No change. No growth except I might know a whole lot more. But knowing isn't enough. I need to do. So all this leads to next year.

Intentional. That is the word I want to describe next year. So, I have a plan. Every month I want to work on one character/spiritual thing that I already know, but I need to do. I'm going to do a bible study through James. Breaking it up into small, digestible portions I want to "eat" and live God's Word next year.

Now is the time of turning,

Changing,

Becoming,

D o i n g.

Have you ever felt how I feel now? Then I want to invite you to join me as I start. I would love to have others join me in the journey. This journey will not be easy. It will be one that will hurt, reveal, and bring sorrow. However, the joy, light, and freedom that will come will be more than worth it.

Living an intentional life for Christ.

Standing strong and steadfast.

Are you in?