A new year and a fresh perspective.
No New Year's Resolutions for me.
What does God want for me this year?
What does He want my focus to be?
This year, I felt led to seek God for a one word focus for 2011.
Lots of words came to mind.
worship
intentional
peace
heart
selfless
thankfulness
joy
gratitude
self-control
focused
lovingkindness
prayer
grace
sacrifice
thoughtfulness
praise
family
mercy
refresh
discipline
rest
faithfulness
All of these are good words.
Any would be a great focus.
But I felt God said to me "listen".
Listen with my ears.
Listen with my heart.
Don't just hear, but truly listen.
Listen - to make an effort to hear something.
Listen - to pay attention; heed.
Listen to God.
Listen to my husband.
Listen to my kids.
Listen to my friends.
Listen to those in authority over me.
Listen like Mary of Bethany - "As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.' (Luke 10:38-40)
I want to listen like Mary listened.
REALLY listen.
Listen without interrupting.
Listen without being distracted.
Listen to the words you say.
Listen to what your heart says.
Listen to what your actions say.
James 1:19 - "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
God gave me 2 ears and 1 mouth.
I will listen more than I speak.
I will listen with both eyes and both ears and my whole heart.
Lord let my listening be an act of worship to You.
In 2011, and for the rest of my days.
2 comments:
Dani,
You are all of those words you thought of on your first list. I think it's great that you chose listen. It's something we all could work on.
Ryan and I were just talking about listening the other day. Our society is so worried about what we will say next that we forget to listen first. Great word! And definitely a challenge for me as well.
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