The Year Ahead…

So, I have a year before I
go to college for ordination training. It was my choice, I have blogged about
that before. But I feel that I have been given this year by God and above all I
don’t want to fill it with my own crap, but just with what he is asking me to
do.

I’ve prayed so much about
this year. And it’s funny because it’s so unlike me not to want to get on with
studying right away, not to want to throw myself into it immediately, but I
feel so peaceful about that the decision to have this year out, that I know it’s
of God. A friend asked me this week if a little bit of me didn’t wish I was
starting right now, but no, actually it doesn’t!

In reality this isn’t just
about a year, it’s decisions for life, but I know I have a year before I start
college to really focus on some of these things so that’s where I’m starting.
Who knows at the end of the year God may have other plans for me, but for now I
start with this year. The year before college.

So what will it entail…?

There have been so many
things that have come up in prayer but above all I feel ‘it’s time to get
serious’. It’s all being well thinking and talking about wanting to see more of
God, but sometimes you just have to shut up, 
step out and get on with it. And that’s what I intend to do. A dear
friend of ours left our church recently and he was someone I felt inspired and
led by. He had a big impact on my life and I have so much to thank him for. My
life will not be the same having worked and spent time with him. But the last
few months I have felt like I’ve floundered a bit. (Other things have happened
too, which I have blogged about elsewhere). I’ve been wondering who to turn to now
for advice and for spiritual guidance. I’ve felt a bit lost as to what my
purpose is in my role at work, and in my life but still so hungry to know more
of God and so desperate to be in his presence and led by his Holy Spirit . So,
last week I shared all this with my husband. And in a total reversal of our
usual relationship (must be God…) he just cut to the heart of it all and said
something like this: Jules you have been put in a position of leadership, you
need to lead. You are more than capable of doing that and doing it well. What
is there to stop you? He is also now doing some work for the church and as he
pointed out we are both now in a position of being able to see the things we
desire actually come about. It was like the skies had parted and the sun came
out! Suddenly I knew what it was I should be doing. And the thing is I knew it
all along I just was being fearful. Well I’m probably still fearful but I know
that God will equip me. I know he has put me here for such a time as this, for
his purposes and I just have to step into them! He has made the path ahead for
me…

As a Christian we all have a
calling to be Jesus to those around us. For each of us that looks very different,
for some it is a quiet behind the scenes serving and loving, for others it’s
standing on a street corner preaching the gospel, for some it’s being a
Christian at work and making the right moral decisions, and for others it’s a
more out there, defiant, in your face kind of thing – well that’s me anyway ;)
and right now I know that for me I need to be that, an ‘out there’ kind of
Christian, not afraid of my faith, but so secure in the knowledge and love of
God that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. I know I do not
need to fear man, I just need to get serious and get on with what he’s asking
me to do!!

In my prayer time I have
felt 3 scriptures being given to me for this year and they are:

 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers
who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get
on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat,
no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus,
who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he
never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he
could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right
alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that
story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your
souls!

Hebrews 12:1-4 the Message

 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s
good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32 NKJV

 As you go, proclaim this message:
‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’Heal the sick, raise the
dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received;
freely give.

 

These excite me so much!! I
have prayed about this a lot and this is what I think this year looks like to
me:

1: Seeking God daily. In
prayer and quiet time.  For me but also
for the world around me

– I will just spend time in
his presence, just to know him more… I can’t wait!

– My daily questions will
be, ‘what do you want me to do today? What opportunity have you got for me
today?’

– I will always offer to
pray for the sick. I will not turn down an opportunity that God gives me
(help…!) I will be a blessing to those around me.

– I want to be Jesus to
those around me. To be an ENCOURAGER.

2. My family

Jesus is and will be at the heart of our
home. We will, as a family love him together and show that love to others. I
will love them, encourage them, pray with them and nurture them.

3. In relation to ministry,
I want to seek out people doing all kinds of more contemporary ministry. I want
to get ideas, look at what others are doing, learn from them, get prayed for by
them!

– I want to seek out people
who have amazing spirit led ministries and go where the Holy spirit is leading.

– I want to gather others
who are hungry for God and seek him together. And in those that aren’t I want
to fan the flame. In reality I don’t need the above, we can seek the Holy
Spirit together but it’s good to get inspired!!

We had a hashtag last year and this I will continue to use #thereismore because there is SO much more to Gods kingdom than I have experienced and that is what I long for…