Surfing the web recently, we came across some posts that we hope you'll find encouraging as your spiritual journey unfolds in 2015.
Jeff Strong addresses the disappointment and discouragement that we're prone to fall into after the high of the holidays. In "When Jesus Says, 'Don't Follow Me'" he observes that both the shepherds and the magi had to go back to their routine. Granted the magi's may have been more glamorous than than the shepherd's. Nevertheless, both returned to their previous lives. And though their work may not have changed, their perspective had. They returned glorifying and praising God for what they had seen. We think that's a good way to approach a new year, which may well hold some of the same old challenges and problems that last year did.
For those who feel like they have little or nothing to contribute to God's purposes, the folks at corediscipleship.com remind us to look not to our own resources, but what God is able to do through those who are willing and available. God is not looking for a degree or pedigree, only our availability.
Paul Louis Metzger reminds us that spiritual growth is characterized by mourning in "'Blessed Are Those Who Mourn'--Not Those Who Are Spiritually Comfortable." This is not exactly the feel good message you might expect to hear at the start of a new year, but perhaps with a realistic assessment of who we are, acknowledging with humility our fitful progress in our spiritual journey, we may be more attuned to God's voice as we move into the weeks and months ahead.
Our prayer for you as you move forward into 2015 is that you remain steadfast in the journey and experience God's grace-filled presence to strengthen and encourage you along the way.
