An Invitation to End and Begin Well

“But those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” – Psalm 34:10 NIV

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I couldn’t help it. A few days after Thanksgiving I found myself thinking about the new year and wanting to be done with 2013 and start rolling out 2014.

 

But what’s the rush really? There’s been plenty of high moments – lots to celebrate and be thankful for. But I cannot escape the weariness I feel about some goals and plans that slipped through my fingers like fine, dry sand.

 

I know I’ve got to do something different next year. I just cannot wake up in 2014 with the same thoughts running through my head.

 

I need to recondition myself. I’ve got to work harder, be different, better…

 

I’ve got to be MORE.

 

But I’ve tried more – lots more, and it left me feeling strained. Like I was stretched too thin, over too many wires running through my life.

 

Sometimes there’s a heap of jealously in my heart when I hear of women who seem to have mastered every role of their life with glossy perfection. Aren’t I good enough to live a June Cleaver, Martha Stewart, Sally Ride, and Mother Teresa kind of life too?

 

How can I satisfy this pestering quest to be more? Must I?

 

In the height of my lamenting and wondering how I could end and begin my years well, I was greeted with a quiet invitation.

 

An invitation to come to Him.

 

And I believe it’s meant for you too.

 

To come to Him in celebration of the many joys of the past year, and to release to Him the hard and painful times, for He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

 

To come to Him in reflection of relationships, work, and choices that have left us dry and withered, for He says, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (John 7:37)

 

To come to Him with child-like wonder for the new year. To seek hope, promise, and purpose on His terms, for Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

 

To come to Him for influence in the lives of our children, spouses, friends, neighbors, and enemies, for He says, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19)

 

To come to Him in surrender of any anger or conflict in our hearts towards Him and others for He says, “Let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me.” (Isaiah 27:5)

 

To come to Him when declarations of this world bring fear and confusion, for God says, “Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.” (Isaiah 55:3)

 

 

God is inviting us to end and begin our years well with Him. Will we accept His invitation to come, or will we continue to wrestle with our own ideas of significance and purpose?

 

God simply wants us to come find out what “more” truly means.

 

What plans for spiritual growth do you have for the new year? Let me know, I’d love to pray for you!