2013~Make a Difference!

Here we go!  Off into the great unknown of another year.  

Excited? Fearful? Dreadful? Uncertain?  Relieved? Happy?

It can mean so many things to different people, this thing called change.

I personally like anything that gives the feeling of a fresh start.  It helps me to let go of what was and move on!  

As I awoke on January 1, I had two portions of Scripture on my mind:

Hebrews 12 New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Philippians 3 New International Version (NIV)

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

As I have read over these words in the past week, I recognize the message to my heart (and dare I say, the Body of Christ) this year: 

~throw off what is holding you back & messing you up
~don't allow yourself to grow weary
~be confident that the path has been laid out before you
~keep your eyes on Jesus, not circumstances or fears
~endure...Jesus did & has given you the power to also
~remember, one day, every hard moment will be worth it 
~take hold of what Jesus died to give you      

I  notice that these are all actions.  It's up to me.  It's up to you.   It's up to us.

To passionately pursue is to zealously, fervently, violently gain, attain, capture, and overtake that which you are trying to obtain!

Of course, this is not to allude to harming or wounding any person, but to know your purpose clearly and to be determined to see it fulfilled.  We hold many positions: mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, loved one, friend, business owner, employee, teacher, pastor, helper, leader, follower...

The days of passivity need to be over...in our hearts, our heads, our bodies...our families, our churches, our communities, our country...our world.

For such a time as this, we have been equipped and reaction needs to be replaced by action and proaction!

GET UP AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE...because you can!