Surrender: Aligning My Heart to His in 2018

As we begin a new year, some are gung-ho about creating grand resolutions - others are a little skeptical of the hype. And to be honest, my stance on the subject seems to differ each year. But this year was different. This year God really spoke to me, and today I decided to share what He has been putting on my heart as 2017 came to a close and 2018 briskly began.

            God created Earth for creatures who are made in His image to dwell, and once a year the Earth makes a complete lap around the sun. What I think is so special about the start of a new year, other than the miracles of how perfectly this event is orchestrated year in and year out, is that I truly believe that God has a way of really capturing our heart’s attention. He is helping us reevaluate current life and see all the good the next 365 days/full lap around the sun can hold if we truly tap into the full potential of who God created us to be. Following God's will instead of our own. Even if you aren’t so sure about God or New Year’s Resolutions, you have to admit that the turn of the calendar makes you reflect on life in some capacity. The goods and bads of the year all culminated to shape you and mold you into a person different than the year before.

            This year I finally took God seriously. I said Yes to the things he laid on my heart, so here I write my goals to grow in the Lord throughout 2018. I have surrendered to the God that wants my heart & refuse to stay slipped into the patterns of this world that keep me away from fully experiencing the Joy he gracefully gives to me.

           This year, my word is SURRENDER. I surrender who I was for who He has created me to become. I surrender who I’ve been for who God is. I am surrendering a lot of my old habits that have been keeping me from God. Here a few of my big habits I have decided to surrender, as well as how I plan to surrender to God’s will for me instead of these habits.

•       I surrender my hate for mornings.
•      During the semester, my mornings are a filled with too much snoozing and rushing around, and not enough peace and focus.
•      Instead of checking social media, I am going to cuddle up with some coffee & my morning devotionals to align my heart with His

•       I surrender my time-wasters (aka excessive social media use)
•         New Christian books & crocheting a blanket are how I want to spend my downtime instead of being on my phone
• I desire to spend my downtime and study breaks with things that are going to fill my cup & help me recharge

• I surrender my comfort
• From mission trips to just showing strangers Jesus' love, I surrender my comfort of holding back to allow God to use me to advance His kingdom
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•     Here’s one that I hate admitting but needs to be in the middle of my act of surrender: my want of control
•         I surrender my want to control grades & school experiences, to fully allow God's perfect will for my life to be played out
•     I surrender the control that keeps me from fully trust-falling into God’s loving arms
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Jesus has really been giving me a big glimpse into what life is like filled with purpose aligned with His heart, and man do I just feel that joy flooding through to what this life can truly be in His presence. But don’t get me wrong, I am still broken, living in a broken world – with habits that have been exercised for years on end. To expect an overnight transformation of my heart is completely unrealistic, but you know the best thing about that? Jesus meets us where we’re at. He loves us in our brokenness, even if our habits or hearts keep us from Him. When I slip into my old habits, into the patterns of this world, I will lean into Him that much more for His grace. I will call upon my accountability partners, my mentors, my friends, my parents to help me bring me closer when I waver. This year, I surrender control and trade it for obedience.

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” - Psalm 143:18

“God is about to do something new.” - Isaiah 43:19

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:2

“Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” - Psalm 37:7

“You can have it all Lord, every part of my world. Take this life & breath on this heart that is now yours.” - Brain Johnson // Have It All ((my 2018 anthem))