Last year I began the tradition (I suppose it needs to happen a few more times before I can officially call it that) of focusing on one word throughout the year that I believe God is calling me to change. Last year it was pride/humility. Though I realistically know that this is always a work-in-progress for me, it was beneficial for me to really focus throughout the year on what His Word says about this issue, to examine the areas of my life (oh, so many) where it rears its ugly head, and to try to make some headway in surrendering. I feel that I am quicker to recognize when I am being prideful, but I still struggle with choosing a different path.
While I'm not abandoning work on this area of my life, I have also, with the start of a new year, felt God's leading to other areas of my life. One is the word that I used above: surrender. I am constantly frustrated at the lack of change I see in myself in so many areas. I have to question the authenticity of my repentance when there are so many wrong things I do so many times. There cannot be true, lasting change, nor, I believe, can there be a true experience of and response to God's love in my life when I refuse to lay down all of these "rights" that I claim for myself: right to anger, judgment, impatience, self-serving actions and attitudes, gossip, greed....the list is, as always, endless. I believe God is calling me to surrender in a deeper, more real way than I have up to this point.
Another word that has come to my attention, I believe by God's leading is wisdom. Several times throughout this past December I came across this verse in my studying/reading: "Be very careful then how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17 I believe God is calling me to make wiser choices in my daily life (that could include the ways I spend my time, money, etc) and to make the most of every single opportunity I am given. I do believe there is so much that I selfishly and foolishly squander.
SO - we'll see where God leads and what He teaches throughout 2011 about these particular words in my life.
