Hope for 2015
2014 was a year of extremes. At times during the year it felt like it couldn't get any better -and yet by the end it felt like like it couldn't get much worse. As I embark on the new year things aren't really any better but looking back in my journals from previous tough years these words give me hope.
"...And the year to come looks from some points of view like it could be another 'bad' year - a year of loss and loneliness. But as I have seen from the years that have preceded God is writing an amazing story for my life and I have to take the faith that has been built and move forwards. I have to believe that this year will be a year where God is glorified and as He is with me it cannot and will not terrible. Even if there is great pain, great joy will result and in any case He is bigger than any pain I might face. That this year I will be moulded and formed more into His image and His beauty will be at the heart of it all...."
The year that followed this reflection really did result in a deeper intimacy with God than I could have imagined, and so through the pain of the now there is still hope. I know there is a purpose to all of the brokenness. I know He will not let it go to waste. I know that I am loved through every moment, even in my stubbornness.
At the start of this year I am stirred again with a greater longing to be transformed, to encounter and then reflect God's beauty and glory, to go deeper in intimacy with Him. I'm beginning to remember that this is worth the sacrifice...
2015 will be a year of refining, it may well be a tough year, but it will be a good year.
"...And the year to come looks from some points of view like it could be another 'bad' year - a year of loss and loneliness. But as I have seen from the years that have preceded God is writing an amazing story for my life and I have to take the faith that has been built and move forwards. I have to believe that this year will be a year where God is glorified and as He is with me it cannot and will not terrible. Even if there is great pain, great joy will result and in any case He is bigger than any pain I might face. That this year I will be moulded and formed more into His image and His beauty will be at the heart of it all...."
The year that followed this reflection really did result in a deeper intimacy with God than I could have imagined, and so through the pain of the now there is still hope. I know there is a purpose to all of the brokenness. I know He will not let it go to waste. I know that I am loved through every moment, even in my stubbornness.
At the start of this year I am stirred again with a greater longing to be transformed, to encounter and then reflect God's beauty and glory, to go deeper in intimacy with Him. I'm beginning to remember that this is worth the sacrifice...
2015 will be a year of refining, it may well be a tough year, but it will be a good year.
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