Theme for 2007
For several years I have noticed that the first day of the new year has set the theme for my year in some way. This year my New Year's Day was quite hectic and loud and abnormal for me. My house is normally fairly quiet and subdued. Not this year. My son, daughter-in-law and 2-1/2 year old grandson were in town.
The day was filled with activity and extended family and anticipation since it was the last day of their visit. The later the hour got, the louder my grandson's talking and singing - and the more intense his dancing, moving, shaking and playing! It became comical as we all hung on the edge of insanity and uncontrollable laughter as he acted out parts of one of his favorite movies and walked like a penguin while saying "I like to move it, move it!" louder and louder and louder. He seemed to recognize that we were on the edge and so he got closer and closer, too, as if he was trying to see how long we could hang on...
And suddenly he was gone. I watched with sadness as that precious part of my family drove away into the night, thinking it would be months before we were together again. And I prayed for their safe travel. Then I asked Father, "What in the world could this day hold as a theme for 2007?" Then I began to clean up a little and did some self-indulgent relaxing in the re-established peace and quiet. I realized the date was 1/1/7 and a verse I'd been pondering for a month came to mind.
I Samuel 1:17 - Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."
Eli said this to Hannah after she'd been crying in great despair in her prayers at the temple. She didn't even tell Eli what she was praying about but his words to her confirmed that God was listening and would respond to the desires of her heart. The great God of Israel was in control, heard her cries, and wanted to take care of her. And He would 'move it, move it' to do it for her! The next verse indicates that she went - no longer downcast - in peace - trusting and joyful in expectation of answered prayers.
Then Father led me to Psalm 29. It is a magnificent song of recognition that He is mighty and glorious and worthy of praise as it describes His incredible power - specifically the power of His voice. It was almost as if He was telling me "I like to move it, move it!" louder and louder until, as the psalm describes, the trees are stripped bare, the mountains crumble and the earth shakes! And the last two verses, along with I Samuel 1:17, set the theme for my 2007.
Psalm 29:10-11 - The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
My 2007 theme is this: Peace at the end of the day.
No matter how crazy the days, how much 'move it, move it' there is, or how much despairing and crying out I may do this year, I can go in peace - like Hannah - knowing that my God hears my prayers, knows the desires of my heart, and will respond. Why? Because the God whose voice thunders above the waters, makes the mountains skip like calves, snaps the trees and shakes the desert is enthroned above it all. He is in control - even when things are moving and shaking and the loudness of life is almost unbearable. Could it be all the craziness is His 'move it, move it' to get things where He will give me the desires of my heart? Hmmmmm... And isn't it interesting that the peace of His presence is one of the desires of my heart???
His presence and rule in my life will give me strength during the moving and shaking as they bless me with His peace in 2007. Peace at the end of the day.
Happy New Year, friends. And go in peace as the great and glorious and majestic God we love blesses you with the peace that comes from trusting in His faithful presence and sovereign rule.
Amy
The day was filled with activity and extended family and anticipation since it was the last day of their visit. The later the hour got, the louder my grandson's talking and singing - and the more intense his dancing, moving, shaking and playing! It became comical as we all hung on the edge of insanity and uncontrollable laughter as he acted out parts of one of his favorite movies and walked like a penguin while saying "I like to move it, move it!" louder and louder and louder. He seemed to recognize that we were on the edge and so he got closer and closer, too, as if he was trying to see how long we could hang on...
And suddenly he was gone. I watched with sadness as that precious part of my family drove away into the night, thinking it would be months before we were together again. And I prayed for their safe travel. Then I asked Father, "What in the world could this day hold as a theme for 2007?" Then I began to clean up a little and did some self-indulgent relaxing in the re-established peace and quiet. I realized the date was 1/1/7 and a verse I'd been pondering for a month came to mind.
I Samuel 1:17 - Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."
Eli said this to Hannah after she'd been crying in great despair in her prayers at the temple. She didn't even tell Eli what she was praying about but his words to her confirmed that God was listening and would respond to the desires of her heart. The great God of Israel was in control, heard her cries, and wanted to take care of her. And He would 'move it, move it' to do it for her! The next verse indicates that she went - no longer downcast - in peace - trusting and joyful in expectation of answered prayers.
Then Father led me to Psalm 29. It is a magnificent song of recognition that He is mighty and glorious and worthy of praise as it describes His incredible power - specifically the power of His voice. It was almost as if He was telling me "I like to move it, move it!" louder and louder until, as the psalm describes, the trees are stripped bare, the mountains crumble and the earth shakes! And the last two verses, along with I Samuel 1:17, set the theme for my 2007.
Psalm 29:10-11 - The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
My 2007 theme is this: Peace at the end of the day.
No matter how crazy the days, how much 'move it, move it' there is, or how much despairing and crying out I may do this year, I can go in peace - like Hannah - knowing that my God hears my prayers, knows the desires of my heart, and will respond. Why? Because the God whose voice thunders above the waters, makes the mountains skip like calves, snaps the trees and shakes the desert is enthroned above it all. He is in control - even when things are moving and shaking and the loudness of life is almost unbearable. Could it be all the craziness is His 'move it, move it' to get things where He will give me the desires of my heart? Hmmmmm... And isn't it interesting that the peace of His presence is one of the desires of my heart???
His presence and rule in my life will give me strength during the moving and shaking as they bless me with His peace in 2007. Peace at the end of the day.
Happy New Year, friends. And go in peace as the great and glorious and majestic God we love blesses you with the peace that comes from trusting in His faithful presence and sovereign rule.
Amy
Good stuff, Amy!
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