With 2020 on the horizon I ask myself what is my chief aim for the coming year?
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverb 29:18
For years I would come to this time of year hopeful that the new year would be better. And I truly wanted it to be. But what kills a well-meaning desire is a lack of vision.
It wasn’t until 2014 that instead of coming up with a list of New Year’s resolution I came up with a personal theme instead. Here is what I discovered by creating a persona theme.
Commitment
I’m thankful that my first personal theme I chose was commitment. And it is something that didn’t just stay with me in 2014 but has followed me through the years. I realized that if I any desire to to do anything commitment would be necessary. So why not make it my personal theme.
I was committed to make Jude v. 22 a reality in my life. I was committed to doing God’s will and finding a young lady of faith to encourage that God had put in my heart for some years. I was committed to follow through no matter how uncomfortable and fearful I felt. And believe me I did.
Regardless of what personal theme you desire to have being willing to commit to see it played out in your day-to-day life. Let it become your daily vision. Ask God for it as you would ask for daily bread. And believe me God more than desires to answer.
Rejoice
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
Keep in mind that what you are committing is to the Lord. He has a defined purpose for you in accordance to His will.
But you might say, “I don’t know His will.”
And I will ask, “Do you know Him?”
So many times I tried to figure out God’s will without really knowing Him. In the end I would be frustrated feeling like a complete failure. But once I started knowing Him and continue to do so, what incredible joy!
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8
Restored
As you grow to know God more through your personal theme you discover the Lord is a redemptive God. I believe too emphasis is given on us. It’s true that you reap what you sow but how often do you meditate on God’s goodness because of His forever mercy?
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:29
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1
Interesting how often this verse appears in the scriptures. Not to mention the entire reminder of God’s mercy found in through the reminder of Psalm 136.
God is a redemptive God. Yes, you messed up. You sinned but God is greater still and willing to restore your life for His glory.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. Joel 2:25-26
God is no respecter of person’s what He did for the nation of Israel He desires to do in your life. You can start this year with a personal theme to remind you of this fact. That is why restored did become my personal theme in 2018 and I have been so encouraged in the Lord.
Consecrated
Yes, you are set apart for God. And instead of thinking of a laundry list of resolutions why not start in one area. One personal theme that by God’s grace will guide your life in 2020?
I close out 2019 where my personal theme Consecrated for the cause of Christ has prepared to face 2020 by the grace of our Lord. The verses that became my meditation this past year were found in Hebrews 10:19-22
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
In addition to my personal theme I like having a theme song as well and that song has been Cause of Christ.
Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision is just passing time. Vision with action changes the world. ~Joel A. Barker
God has already prepared my theme for 2020. And I look forward to sharing it with you in the coming New Year.
To GOD be ALL the GLORY
In His hands,
Ann Marie Moore
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
