January 8, 2008
January is always an interesting month for me spiritually. As hard as I try not to lose sight of the real “reason for the season” in December, I have to admit that I tend to get sucked up into the Christmas rush. Unfortunately, my times with the Lord are often replaced by shopping, baking, hosting, wrapping, and sleeping in (because I’m so tired from the shopping, baking, hosting, and wrapping). Needless to say, I am deeply thankful for the fresh start that January brings our way. Though I am saddened (even sickened) by the fact that my first conversation with the Lord in 2008 had to begin with a confession of neglect and half-heartedness in my pursuit of Him, I rejoice in the fact that the blood of Jesus has cleansed me from all sin (1 John 1:7). The other day I drove by a church sign that had the words “Clean Slate” written on it. Those words brought a smile to my face as I contemplated the amazing grace of God who sent His Son to die on a cross that you and I might begin this new year with clean slates. I have been reflecting a lot lately on what I want to write on my clean slate this year. My prayer is that this reflection will encourage you to do the same.
Over and over again in my recent prayer times Colossians 3:2 has come to mind: “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” This morning I decided to read through all of Colossians 3. What I ended up with was a list of things that I want to focus on this year (and the rest of my life!). These are things that I want written on my slate, so to speak.
Only God knows what 2008 will look like for Aprile Sweers. It could be full of wonderful things. It could be the hardest year my life. Perhaps it will bring a mixture of good things and difficult things. No matter what this year holds, my heart’s desire is to live out Colossians 3. By the grace of God and through the power of His Spirit I want to . . .
§ Become more heavenly-minded. I struggle a lot with “earthlymindedness.” Even as I think about what I want 2008 to bring, I get way too caught up in what my house looks like, what I look like, how Greg’s business is doing, how MY plans for MY life are panning out, etc. Through His Word and the conviction of His Spirit, God has challenged me to loosen my grip on the temporal, surface stuff and keep fixing my eyes on those things that really matter.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Col. 3:1-4
§ Continue to put aside the “old self stuff” (a.k.a. sin) that is still routinely evident in my life. Having my tongue removed could really help with this one. J
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Col 3:5-11
§ Become more like Christ. Specifically, I want to love people (my husband, friends, neighbors, the women I teach, the clerk at the grocery store, etc.) like Christ loves people – humbly and sacrificially.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Col 3:12-15
§ Cultivate a heart of gratitude for all that God is and does in my life. “I want . . . I want . . . I want.” Way too many sentences that come out of my mouth start with those two words. Oh how I long to be able to say that “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances” (Phil. 4:11). Genuine gratitude is key.
And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:15-17
§ To become more “saturated” with the truths of God’s Word. Isn’t it wonderful that no matter how long we have studied God’s Word, there are always fresh discoveries to be made? I want to grow as a teacher of God’s Word, but I must first grow as a student.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Col 3:16-17
§ To grow in my desire to honor and please my Lord. I rarely do anything without asking myself, “What will ‘so-and-so’ think?” I want to get to the point in my life where I am much more concerned with pleasing God than I am with pleasing man.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:17
"Let us so live that all may see that to us the things of God are the first things, and the glory of God the first aim in our lives; that to follow Christ is our grand object in time present, and to be with Christ our grand desire in time to come." J.C. Ryle, Holiness