Faithful Friday: Submit

In case you missed it, my word for 2013 is SUBMIT. 

I've certainly had many lessons already on this word and we're only a week in.  For one, I was unable to "submit" this post last Friday.  Truly, it was a bit of funny irony that my first FF post of the year, on this very topic, could not be submitted...due to technical difficulties!

It could've been posted late, but not without this picture, as that was one of the problems Blogger was having, and this picture was important to my post.  I saw it as I raised up from getting a drink of water after an impromptu workout. 

When I first selected my word, a scripture came to mind (that scripture above) and I've been amazed at how many times it has appeared to me. It's like a little hello from God every time I see it and I'm reminded of how great and big he is.

I'm also reminded at how much I fail when I resist or try to do things on my own. 

We all started the year with a new devotion book.  Santa left them under the tree, because he's tight like that with Jesus.  Tina was given a girl's devotion written by teens, Noah's was specific to boys, and ours was for couples.  Actually, Noah accidentally opened ours Christmas morning and was puzzled at why he'd been given a couples devotion book.

Yet all of us were eager and excited to kick the year off right by ending our evenings submitting to God.  So far we've done well to keep up the habit, Tim and I only skipping one night (my birthday) because it was late when we got home.  Even though it's only a one page read, old age apparently set in on me and convinced us we couldn't muster through.  The next morning, as I read it, we were floored with the message.  The subject was exactly what we'd dealt with on the way home and I could envision God chuckling, "See, you needed to hear from me last night!"  We agreed then to hold each other accountable to read, regardless of how tired our eyes are.

Our church is reading the Bible in a year again.  I failed last year, falling behind and never catching up.  Last week I did amazingly, devoting time each day and feeling like a proud student come Sunday morning.  This week...not so much.  I've let life get in the way.  We'll blame it on the massive birthday festivities (ha ha) and pray for better results the rest of the year.

I don't want to take God for granted.  While I know he's always there regardless of how I fail, my desire is to proactively submit to him.  My soul speaks to me, this I need.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. - James 4:7

What have you learned about your word so far this year? 
How are your resolutions going?

2013: Submission

As a new year begins, and fresh opportunities await, I can't help but pause to look back.  Perhaps it's the writer in me, but I need to reflect, examine, and preserve the memories.

Pondering on 2012, one fact stood clear.  My walk with God was never closer  - but different. 

This past year, God worked through me more than ever before.  And I realized bit by bit, piece by piece, what a change he's made in me.

In the beginning God worked on me.

He molded and shaped me, pruning me for the person I would become.  Bumps in the road built a hard exterior, self protection.  Stubborn independence.  Strong willed.  Yet, God had a plan in all that mess.  With every imperfection, it taught me lessons, even if years later.  Even if sometimes, I still forget.

Over time, his whispers became louder.  Unfortunately, for me, it took two tragedies to wake up and hear him.  During my recovery from our wreck, God's role in my life again changed.

Through pain, he began to work in me.

I learned to Be Still.  To be grateful for each sunrise.  To count my blessings.  To listen for his voice.  Through him, I became stronger than I ever could on my own.

In great loss, I learned again to lean on him.  To fall at his feet.  That peace - and even joy - could only come from his loving hand.  I learned to let go...

And now, this past year, in giving him the reigns, He began to work through me.

It's been amazing to see what He can do, when I just let go and let God.

Submission is probably one of my greatest faults.  But God knows how to take all our weaknesses and build them up with his foundation.  It just takes us having the faith to trust him.  For someone who likes to be in control, this is not an easy task.  I don't even like the word - submissive.  But I dislike the opposite of it even more.  I don't want to be disobedient, fighting, intractable, resistant, or unyielding with God.  Because of this, I willingly submit to him.

I'm far from being finished, this I know.  God's still got a lot of work to do on me, in me, and through me. 

Facing this year, in total submission though, fills me with hope and, maybe, even a little bit of joy.

So, what's your word for 2013?