2013: Trust

As the new year begins, I am both resisting and embracing the return of routine and life as usual. I've thoroughly enjoyed the last 2-3 weeks of being "off" work, hanging out with the family, and being lazy and such. But I always love a fresh start -- a new year, new possibilities, and new challenges -- and I'm ready to dive in.

The past few years, I've been inspired by friends to pray and find one word -- one goal -- that God has for them for the year. I've been privileged to walk alongside these friends and watch God work amazing things in their lives as they regularly seek him out and follow his leading in these areas of their lives. I've thought about doing the same in the past couple of years, but never really took the time to do it. This year, I prayed and for several days I didn't really hear much. But a few nights ago, I was laying in bed praying, thinking, and I very distinctly heard God say, "TRUST."

TRUST (noun): The assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.

TRUST (verb): To place confidence in. 

This is something I did not do well in 2012. In my personal life, I was anything but trusting. [I hate to admit it, but] I doubted God at nearly every turn. There were times where my doubt caused me to press in to God more, but also times where my doubt was not healthy. There were times I even became angry. I did not trust that He had my best interests at heart. I wanted something different, and, as I look back on 2012, in many ways it was not very fruitful (spiritually, personally, business-wise). God is showing me how much time I spent depending on myself, doing it my way, internally pitching a fit because things may not have gone the way I wanted to. It was pretty ugly.

So in 2013, I'm trusting in Him -- the God who sees the big picture, the Father who loves me dearly, the Spirit who is more than able to lead me moment by moment down the path laid out for me -- and so far, I have already been amazed at His faithfulness and the peace He gives.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

Do you have a word or a resolution for 2013?