Though we’re almost one month into the new year, I am pleased with the direction it is going. My commitment has been firm/solid in surrendering to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Wow, what great things He has shown me thus far. I appreciate a deeper awareness of His love and who He is. It is a foundation to build upon this year. My daily prayer is to continue. I remember times last year I had become complacent, going through the motions, but not slowing down to focus on Him. Yet, God always finds a way to draw you back to where He wants you. Thank God for His mercy and grace. He is a jealous God, who will not compete with the idols we place before Him.

As I sit here writing this post, I am rejoicing in the fact there is no other place I’d rather be than in His presence, focused on His will, and making my Father happy. This is the place He wants me to be. After all, He created me solely to love and worship Him and love others. If he laid down His life for me to have liberty and freedom from bondage (the sins that control our lives), why should I not give Him the honor He deserves? It is not about me and my wants. It is not about things. It is about loving others, serving others, and glorifying God. That means I surrender control of my life to Him. In doing this I have found that the benefits and rewards are far better than “silver and gold”. It ain’t easy, but there is no greater peace than the world can ever give you. To have peace, not worry, not anxiety in the middle of a trial or storm, only God can do this. He is right there with me, carrying me through.

As I reflect on His amazing goodness throughout the years I am blessed to be grounded and rooted in my faith, His purposes and plans for my life. I continue to praise and wait on Him as scripture states, “Be still and know that I am God.” It is time to go deeper. I can’t begin to imagine what He has in store for me this year. I remember asking myself, why do I hold on to the things of this world? They don’t matter and are surely not worth it. I can’t take it with me when I die. What a waste of time. The question is when you die will you be with God in heaven or with Satan in hell? We can’t fool ourselves, how we live and our relationship with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will be the answer to this question.

It’s a new year, a new day. We can’t have both. I choose full surrender to the One who loves me unconditionally, whose truth shall set me free, and deserving of my temple; NOT the world, Satan’s stomping ground that always leads to destruction.

This blog post was shared from one of my personal journals prompted by the Holy Spirit.

Amen.