My New Year's Resolution

Contemplating the New Year is always a time of looking back on what has been, combined with the anticipation of what could be. It's a time of reflection on the past, with a commitment toward the future. As I consider 2007, a verse of scripture comes to my mind. It is Isaiah 43:19 which says, "Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." As I read this verse, I have to ask myself, "Am I looking for the Lord to do something new?" It's really convicting when I think about it. Am I so caught up in the "everyday life", that I forget to "look" for what the Lord is doing?
He says He doesn't want me to miss what He is about to do. In fact, He says "even now it is coming." Am I ready for it? Will I see it when it arrives, or will it pass me by because of my preoccupation with lesser things? If it's so important to Him, should it not be as important to me? When He says, "Do you not see it?", does it mean it is already in view? I don't want to miss what the Lord has in store for me. Whatever it is, He says it's "new". When is the last time I've seen the Lord do something "new" to or around me? I know He must all the time, but I'm not paying attention.
My resolution is to "look at what the Lord is doing." I mean really look, eagerly anticipate, consider, ponder upon, meditate on what He is doing. Quit looking at the piddly things I'm doing so much and look at the amazing things He is doing.
He says He's providing "a way in the wilderness." To me, that speaks of guidance. He wants to show me a new way through this wilderness of life. As I find myself lost in the wilderness of busyness, confusion, deadlines, frustration, doubt and concerns of so much that I have absolutely no control over, He says He is preparing a way for me. Boy, do I need guidance from someone much greater than myself. I don't want to miss that! I resolve to look to my Lord for my way in the wilderness.
He also says He is making "rivers in the desert." To me, that speaks of provision. Too often, I feel that I am wandering in a desert. My provisions have run out, my strength is exhausted, my vision has turned out to be a mirage. I find myself in need of renewal, refreshment and rest. He says to me, "Look, I'm making rivers in your desert." If I'm in the desert, I want to know where the river is. Will I miss it by dwelling on what I don't have?
My New Year's Resolution is to daily look at what the Lord is doing. I need to live in eager anticipation of the new things the Lord is about to do in 2007. After all, He is my guide and my provider. He is everything I need.

They Made It!!

Through the ice and snow and many, many miles, Blake and Jen made home for Christmas. In their attempt to get from Bozeman, Montana to Waco, Texas, they had to travel East all the way to Souix Falls, South Dakota before they could turn South to Texas. But, at long last, they made it on Christmas Eve Eve. (Saturday night) We have had a wonderful time together and have really enjoyed catching up on what's going on in each other's lives. What we thought was going to be a three to four day visit has turned out to be almost two weeks at present. The reason? More ice and snow on the roadways and cities. Now they are finding it extremely difficult to find a path that would be open long enough for them to get from Waco back to Bozeman. Jan and I are really broken up about it. (Yea, right. We're loving every minute of it.) What has been such a hardship on so many up North has been a rich blessing on us by providing more time with Blake and Jen. I know they will have to return at sometime, but the Lord is richly blessing our time together now.