Women's Devotional 12.31.2015

12.31.2015

It's inevitable that as the end of December rolls around, it always gets me thinking about two things- What has God done? and What will God do?

This past year seems to have passed, yet again, quickly. We have rejoiced in many things, shared many tears and heartaches, and seen the Lord move in all kinds of ways.  We are all older, our children are taller, and in our extended family, we will add another chair at the table - Jeremy and I are officially Great Uncle and Great Aunt to a beautiful little boy that our nephew and his wife had! We have grown closer, spent time with sweet friends, built new relationships, played a lot of baseball, and God has been good, even through the craziest circumstances. The fact that we can look back is a testimony of His faithfulness in our lives and gives us perspective that we didn't have in January of 2015.

Which brings me to the year ahead. There is something new and fresh when the turn of the year comes - it's a blank page, a future untold, an adventure that awaits, the uphill climb on a roller coaster that you aren't sure you even wanted to get on in the first place. Every new year I long for change. That change sometimes comes and sometimes it doesn't. 

But, God.

But God NEVER changes. In Hebrews 13:8 it says: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Your circumstances may change, but God does not change. YOU may change, but God does not change. YOUR HEART may change, but He does not change. Even the answer He gives you may change, but rest assured He never will. The entire first part of chapter 13 in Hebrews, Paul spends time encouraging the people to not forsake what they know, but continue loving, praying, and sharing like they were accustomed to. So, my question is not this: What am I going to do in this next year, but instead it's GOD, what will you do in this upcoming year?  Because I want to be a part of whatever it is! 

Do you need a fresh start today? What posture is your heart in today? Are you ready to receive all that He has to pour out on you (on us) in 2016?

Father, YOU. ARE. GOOD. In the midst of beautiful, you are good. In the midst of mess, you are good. And you - you never change. Our hearts and minds change all the time, but you, you never do. May we be reminded that we are all to be loving, and praying, and sharing - and when you broaden our horizons, stretch our faith, or call us to deeper things, may we trust that you are doing something in us, whether it be pruning or awakening, and at the end of it know that you have not changed and you are still good. In YOUR name, AMEN.

Merry Christmas,

Karen Greer