My Strength is in Him

Last day of the year. So many memories to treasure from the year past; so many things to look forward to in the year ahead. One thing never changes: God's faithfulness. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)

At our last women's retreat, Catherine Martin of Quiet Time Ministries challenged us to pray and seek the Lord for a special WORD and BIBLE VERSE(S) that would be our theme for the year.

For 2005, my word was "Surrender." My verse was "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved" (Psalm 46:5). Over and over again throughout the year, during trials and tribulations, this word and verse were brought to my mind. It was a source of great comfort and encouragement in time of need.

So as the year-end approached, I was eager to see what my new word and verse would be for 2006. For the past month, I've been praying about it and seeking the Lord. He is so faithful. Early on, I felt the Holy Spirit impress upon my heart that my word for the next year would be...

"Discipline."

Gulp. Are you sure, Lord? Discipline?

Nah. Has to be something else!

As I prayed, I started to see this word and theme everywhere. On my bookshelf was a book titled The Disciplined Life. What an awesome book! I had started to read it a while ago but never got past the second chapter. Why? No discipline! ~laughing~

This book has been sitting on my linen cabinet beckoning me. How it got there, I'll never know.

Then one night during our Advent read aloud time, Alan asked if I could take over the reading of Bartholomew's Passage so that he could finish some work-related business. I flipped open to that night's reading. The chapter was titled "Discipline."

And the signs kept coming.

Discipline. Okay, Lord, that will be my word for the year. How about my verse for the year?

I prayed and kept searching for one during my quiet times. So many awesome verses but none that seemed to be the "right" one. Day after day went by, and I began to wonder if I'd ever receive my verse for 2006.

Finally, this morning, on the last day of the year, I was reading Psalm 84 when verse 5 jumped out at me:

"Blessed are those whose strength is in You."

Strength in You. Not in myself. Yes.

When I went for my run this morning I prayed and received confirmation that this was indeed my verse for the year. Yes, I need discipline to accomplish His work. But I also need to rely on His strength for that very discipline. He knows how many times I've tried to depend on myself--picked myself up by my own bootstraps--only to stumble or fall. It was only when I found my strength in Him was I able to accomplish great things.

"Discipline."
"Blessed are those whose strength is in You."

Good words to live by.

Happy New Year!

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11