January 4th and I’ve found myself face down with a mouthful of sand on the sea shore. Grit up my nose and seaweed tangled feet. My wet hair is wrapped around my face and my bathing suit straps are twisted. I’ve catapulted myself from my dance in the waves, feet slipping, balance lost, surfboard beside me, arms out as if hugging the beach; not hurt, but just feeling like a flat out dufus.
To be frank, I’ve never been surfing. For realz. But, metaphorically speaking, I’ve been out on the ocean riding waves like nobody’s business these past few days. I was in the New Year groove.
Until, alas, I found myself wiping out on the shore. Again.
I’m not one to make New Years resolutions. I mentally enter a new year with a vision plan of sorts. Goals for myself that include my mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Most are things I’ve been cognizant of or have already been working towards in years past. A few are new plans and heart dreams that I want to have at the forefront of the year ahead, with the awareness that they may be birthed in a year, or may take decades to fully come to fruition. I bring these new year’s visions and goals to God in prayer and reflection. I am mindful of them throughout the year. Some are practical, sure. Most are related to my inner being and character reformation. I *try* to listen to what He wants from me and my life. I continue to think about the whole idea of submitting my will to Him and His ways for me and my life. No problemo, right?
My friend, Nina and I call our visions and goals WIP’s. Works. In. Progress. This takes the pressure off the resolutions, at least I think. So, I’ve got a bundle of WIP’s. Some I’ve made progress in leaps and bounds, others have remained static, and a sorry few continue to be proverbial thorns in my side. But I digress…
The point of the matter is this: I think when we come to this God of ours and turn our hearts over to Him we think the matter is done and dusted. And that one step is huge and life changing, but perhaps what is more difficult and really the whole point of the matter, is in the daily. The moment to moment turning to God. Always. In all ways.
In Christian circles, what seems to be all a buzz right now is one word. Reflecting on what one word God is placing on your heart for 2012. Akin to a verse for the year, it is an area that God wants to develop in you and refine in you to bring you closer to Him. I’ve got a couple that seem to be brewing these past weeks but one I think being placed on my heart is this idea of the “daily”-turning over-it over-my life over to Him daily. Moment to moment. The peaks and the valleys. The bank statements and the baggage. Daily.
So, I’m on the sea-shore, yes, and I will no doubt end up here again and again and again. I’ll also get back on my board. But, I’m going to meet with him while I'm here on the shore. Grit in teeth, sand in ears, and all. Because he wants to be a part of all of it. Daily.
