Pathway Through the Wilderness

New Year’s brings a time where we all want to start something new. A new diet, new resolutions, a new skill to learn. There are more “Read the Bible in a Year” plans than I can count. When I start something new I charge ahead full throttle. Years ago when digital scrapbooking was new, I joined several creative teams, spending hours learning how to design beautiful layouts. I am glad I did, but now I don’t do it as much. Then I got a new camera and dove into learning f-stop, ISO, and aperture. This skill is handy today while taking pictures, but this has waned also.

Last year I had my bible study plans laid out, I got up early for quiet time, and was ready to meet any challenge the Lord placed in front of me. I was living Proverbs 31:15, “She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family…” So what happened? Unexpected challenges came my way, I grew weary emotionally and spiritually, and finally I found myself up in the morning telling God, “I am up, but that is all I can bring to you right now.” I felt like a failure. All my plans seemed to dissipate. So many other Christians seem to be able to do it all, but not me, I failed.

Know what happened? That is where God met with me the most. I shed the expectations of what I thought I should be doing, stepped back from activities, and allowed God to minister to me when I was at my weakest. He humbled me by providing blessing I knew I did not deserve. He brought struggles my way only He could handle, and gave me peace in the midst of the storm.

I failed in completing my bible study plans in 2012. I did not accomplish everything I planned to do, instead I found grace, forgiveness, mercy and faithfulness. As I enter 2013 I have some exciting plans, I still have bible study plans I would like to complete, but this year I am allowing God to lead instead of charging ahead full throttle. This year I am strolling into 2013 hand-in-hand with Christ making sure I do not charge ahead of the lessons and blessings he has planned. And if I fail, I know that Christ will pick me up offering grace, mercy and forgiveness that can only be found in Him.

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isa. 43:19 (NLT)