Word for 2012

My word for the year 2012

                Yes, I know I am a few days into the year already.  But since I make goals, not resolutions, I think it is all right to wait to make sure I have the right things in mind from the Lord before I commit them to writing.

                In my reading from DeVern Fromke’s book, Unto Full Stature, now out of print, he emphasizes that, in order to grow up into the fullness of Christ, we need to have a change in “vision-perspective.”  That is, we have spent enough time being self-centered; we must see our need to become God-centered.  It is no longer about what God can do for us; He has already “given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).  It now becomes about what He wants us to be and to do with His Spirit dwelling within us to guide and to empower us.

                In Mr. Fromke’s book he talks about a friend of his who had adopted the slogan, “Keep Looking Down.” He, the author, thought  that sounded a little discouraged until his friend told him he got that from Ephesians 2:6 that says, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus . . .”  If that is where we are seated in spirit right now, we have the right/privilege of looking at things from God’s point of view. 

                That perspective makes all the difference.  When we are at the bottom of a high hill looking up, it may appear rather daunting; when we are in an airplane flying over that same hill, it doesn’t look so bad.  When we try to face life’s problems on our own, we can get fairly discouraged; when we see those problems from God’s point of view, knowing that He is able to empower us to do “all things in Christ who strengthens” us, it makes us wonder sometimes why we were so worried.

                Our world is in pretty much of a mess right now.  Do we choose to get discouraged about it, or let the Holy Spirit remind us that God is in control?  I think how we approach our places in the world depends upon whether we are at the bottom looking at how high the junk pile has gotten or seated with Jesus in the heavenlies looking at things from God’s point of view.  Never forget that He has a plan and He is bringing it all to fruition in His own good time.

                From my heart to yours, “Keep Looking Down.”