As I began to write this first Shape Inspiration of the year, I found myself lost and without words; as a person with an insurmountable amount of words, this freaked me out. There were so many thoughts buzzing through my brain - to impress you, to keep your attention to the ideas that I am trying to write, to not bore you. I noticed my mind halting, re-writing, editing the words that I am typing, because I am worried that they may offend, be too pie-in-the-sky Christian, too ordinary, over-used, basic. A drive for validation as a writer, your approval as an artist was my focus.
My eyes were on the audience and not the artist. This is a problem that I believe we all face.
I begin praying to God, "God, help me write exactly what this person needs to hear today". I began to shift my focus off of myself, my reputation, my image, my abilities, my art, and began to recognize God, the greatest artist, the ultimate wordsmith. As I tossed my short and sweet question to God, I didn't hear a sound; my mind was going a million miles per hour. I began to reflect on my day, and I realized that this was my first attempt of stillness with Him. Today, I had the chance to babysit and spend time with my 2 year-old nephew, who means the world to me. Trying to juggle keeping a toddler happy while vision-casting this new Shape 2017 series left my mind racing and a bit frazzled. I began to realize that I had spent more time with my busy schedule than with the presence of God, so instead of forging my art, I chose to pause, wait and listen to what really beats in my core; I paused here and sought God, and this is what I heard for us today:
God hears your prayer.
He is here.
Be still your heart and know that He is God.
These three statements rang so true in the stillness of God's presence. I think we can all look back at 2016 and feel a sense of defeat to the point that we are almost too jaded to even try to hope for something new in 2017. God wants to remind you today that He has heard our prayers, and He is here in the now desiring to move and have His being in the very things that remind us we are living - our passion, art, hobbies, career. You are not alone in this search for meaning and purpose in this world. I feel that we are in a search of what warms our heart, what brings breath to our bones - what brings meaning. God hears your prayer, and He meets you in all times of life that bring fulfillment and frustration, and everything in between.
I chose to call this series Shape 2017, because I refuse to live by default or by accident this new year. I desire to shape, mold, and subject this year to the template that I desire. I am tired of waking up with a daze and depression that some mornings bring. Be honest, we have all been there.
So how do we live on purpose with intention?
Honestly, it takes waiting on God and working with what God empowers you with in the stillness. I encourage you today to run with this:
TAKE AWAY:
1. God hears your prayer.
2. He is here, so be still and wait on Him to refresh and revive your passion for life.
3. Work to bring the change you want to see in this world.
MEDITATION:
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. ”
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
DAILY CHALLENGE:
1. Write down all that you were hoping for in 2016 and rest in the truth that God has heard your prayer.
2. Be still in God's presence and wait for Him to revive what was defeated in you this last year. Be receptive and open to all that God desires to share with you.
3. After a time of stillness, write your plan of action, your work, your part in the hopes and dreams you have for 2017.
4. Do something today that moves forward in this goal or dream.