“Great Year!! What does That Mean?

 

2007 was a great year! Now, great doesn’t mean life without challenges, failures, disappointments or sadness. No, greatness means that in all things I saw God working for good (Romans 8:28), that I experienced spiritual growth in life while growing closer to Christ in reality. Life in The Kingdom of God means constant rethinking, believing, receiving, and practicing an exciting, God directed life.

  2007 was a busy year, as was 2006. Last year, God helped me focus on what he wanted me to do here at AIM, to hone my skills at teaching (training) and leadership, specifically in leading projects and establishing, maintaining and encouraging partner relationships, specifically here in New Orleans. I was able to shed a number of responsibilities to focus on these three things. In addition, He helped me grow closer to him which is primary as all task comes from a close relationship to God and 2006 prepared me for 2007    where God has challenged me in many instances to step aside and watch him work. Now, for those who know me, you know that I am very “hands on” when on projects but there were several times this year where I knew God was challenging me to trust Him while I observed Him orchestrate ministry opportunities that both challenged the participants and blessed them (and me). Over and over again I was reminded of a prophetic message given to me a couple of years ago which said, “Don’t take upon yourself that which can and will come to pass only by my hand.” Now, often when God wants to work in my life, he creates situations where I don’t know what to do or it’s out of my control. I was humbled yet strengthened all year (2nd Corinthians 12:9-10).

  Lately, God has been making me aware (sometimes painfully) of some personal issues in my life that I need to let go of, or perhaps it’s better said, get a handle on (surrender is a big one. See below). These things are not life threatening or anything, but growing in Christ means both leaving behind any and all things that come between Christ and myself, and conforming all life skills to Christ. This is when The Lord really gets close to home, but always with gentleness and grace (Thank you God). This I think will be the focus of 2008.