1.6.2008

Hello and Happy 2008!

I hope that you had a joyous time over the holidays and that you’re also looking forward to what God will do in 2008. I for one am anticipating a very busy year.

As a way to start the New Year, my boyfriend recently proposed and I am now an engaged woman. As you could imagine, I’m ecstatic! This means new responsibilities to do, new things to learn, more things to grow in, and more things to add to an already busy schedule. However, over the past few weeks I’ve been reading through Proverbs and it couldn’t possibly come at a better time to remind me of the many ways that God is sovereign. In particular, Proverbs 16 is packed with verses like these:

16:1 “To man belongs the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the toungue.”
16:3 “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

And you know what? Those verses then cast me forward to the New Testament, specifically to Matthew 6:25-34 about not worrying, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (26) “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (33)

If you think you’re life is hectic and you can’t possibly take on any other responsibilities, or if you’re stressed about finances or friendships or family, or if you think that you’ve got a plan set for exactly the way you want life to go… these are some passages to put into consideration. Let them remind you that God is taking care of you and there is a way that He has that’s best. If God is not only the creator of all things, He’s also the Lord of all things which consequently means that Time belongs to Him. Our plans belong to Him whether those plans are for tomorrow, six months from now, or five years from now. Why? Because God is the one that allows us to have that time at all! To me, it’s kind of crazy to think that every detail of my life is – or is meant to be – under the sovereignty of God. Only something infinite can take care of something finite, only something bigger can take care of something smaller. I pray that this is something I can remember as I’m making plans for a wedding, all the while also praying that all of my interactions with others will be glorifying to Him (for, “whether you eat or drink, do it all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31). Please pray with me in this endeavor too! I’ll probably need to be reminded of this frequently.

I pray that we can all remember that every aspect of our lives belong to the Lord, no matter what it is that we are planning to do in the future. I also pray that we would continue to grow in increasing love and grace, desiring to be the light of God in a world in need. I pray that our love and identity with Christ would be evident, and that we would not be afraid to let Him be known… in our plans, in our speech, in our actions, in our prayers.

In love and in Him,
Your sister,
Yvonne