Reflecting on the Year by Lorilee Guenter

 

In the front of my calendar for 2022 I wrote the word intentional. Now that the year is drawing to a close, it is time to reflect on if and how the word has impacted my year. Looking back at my January blog post, I paired the word with trusting God as I walk into the unknown.

I can see many places where God's timing was evident when I look back over the year He gave me.  I could not have planned all the times where I read a meditation or Scripture passage that was perfect, not only for me but also for conversations that happened the same day. As I was writing this one of those conversations happened within an hour of my reading. By being intentional with my habits I saw over and over how faithful God is in His leading.

God is faithful. I am not. I let distractions pull me away from important tasks. Many times I wandered aimlessly through the day instead of making intentional choices. At the end of those days, I felt neither rested nor productive. I failed to follow through on the tasks in front of me. I know this resulted in missed opportunities both for rest and for connection. I missed the peace that comes when fully trusting God in those moments.

God is good. He continues to work in my life. When I wander, He is still there waiting for my return. He promises that when we seek Him, when we call on His Name, He will be found. He is waiting for me to notice I am trying to do things my way.  The more I spend time with Him, the more I recognize God guiding me back to what He has prepared for me: joy, peace, courage and so much more. Once I admit that He shows me the better way. He is intentional in His work in our lives.

As 2022 draws to a close, and 2023 invites us to consider what is to come, I know one thing will remain unchanged. When I seek God, I will find Him. He always is. He is waiting for His creation to recognize Him. He is waiting for His children to come to Him each day, to enjoy His company and to trust Him no matter what. 

Intentional Wanderings by Lorilee Guenter

 Each year, when we put up a new calendar, we are bombarded with tips on goal setting, and on the value (or lack thereof) of resolutions. Each year, there is great discussion about taking the opportunity to evaluate where we have been and decide where we are going. I often find myself resisting this tug of our culture. I don't set goals and I don't like resolutions. However, I also do not want to wander through life aimlessly. Thankfully I don't have to.

God is always leading. He does not wait for a date on the calendar. He does not wait for us to put together a perfect plan because He already has. Sometimes He reveals His plan one step at a time, sometimes many steps. Sometimes we understand what He is asking, sometimes we don't until later. Always He promises He will be with us. Throughout Scripture we read "Do not be afraid for I am with you." In Ephesians 2, we are told He has prepared works in advance for us. As I meditate on this, I find myself more and more disenchanted with the whole new year, new you messaging. 

Sometime during the past fall, the word intentional started showing up in conversation, in reading and then in random ways throughout my day. I started to contemplate this word in relation to my activities and in relation to God's leading in my life. I found myself thinking about why I say yes or no to questions and opportunities. I found the tension surrounding goals disappeared when I ceased trying to set a plan and instead looked to take intentional action and leave intentional space letting God set the plan and the rhythm.

This winter, in addition to the word intentional, I find I am meditating on and mulling over the theme of do not be afraid for I am with you. God tells His people at various times: I am with you. I am going ahead of you. I will show you. I am going to prepare a place. The theme of God with us is woven throughout His story and ours. I do not know what the next step is. I do know that God is already working out the details. When I pause long enough to listen to His guidance and take intentional action, but not so long as to let fear interfere, I will see the journey unfold in God's timing and it probably will be unlike what I would have planned.