Solitude with the Father

I wanted to give you a heads up that a change to Encouragement for the Journey will be coming soon. Like the transformation God does in our lives, I believe God is directing a transformation of a new title and look.   I prayed over this  for several months and believe that this is the path God has for this site. The posts will remain the same; however, the atmosphere, I pray, will bring out the heart I have for all you.  A heart for growth, change and encouragement.

Blessings to you all, and may the  God of love and peace draw you to Himself.

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It’s that time of year. A new beginning. A clean slate.  Of course, this is also the part of the year that I make a list of resolutions.

December fifteenth I wrote my list or should I say lists.  The first, was a goal chart of five things I wanted to accomplish like reading two books a month.  The second list had to with my character.  What did I want to see changed such as embracing imperfection, and letting go of fear. I prayed over the lists.

Since I am an over achiever I started a little early and began to read a book entitled Journaling with Jesus – How to revolutionize your relationship with Jesus. By Laurie Snyman.

I figured I would work on two items at one time; my spiritual growth and writing skills.  But what I didn’t expect was the golden nugget that I found.  Ms. Snyman states,

“You could suffer the discomfort of changing or suffer the results of continuing the way you are.  God wants to transform you…God will ask you to submit to His will.  You will need to endure it if you were to become transformed.”  (Snyman kindle edition loc. 313)

The nugget?  Transform.  There is so much packed into this little quote but this is what stuck out.

1. Change will be uncomfortable
2. God wants to transform me
3. I will need to submit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (NASB)

Everything I have written down for the coming year all comes down to “Transformation”.  The cool thing, is I can’t do it. It’s why I fail every year because I try to do it in my own strength.  I don’t do the work, I can’t, but God can.

My part is to seek out a deeper relationship with the One who can do the work in me.  My Relationship with God involves four things; read the word, pray, and obedience.  These are the basics but there is one more, solitude.  Why solitude?  I can be still and listen more intently when I take the time away from the busyness of life.

Jesus, in Luke 5:16, took time often to go to a secluded place to pray.  The key word is often.  The way I understand it Jesus had His “quiet time” with the Father every day; however, there seems to be times that perhaps He needed a more intimate and focused time away from everything.

So back to my lists.  I’ve decided to go with a word for the year instead of solely working the lists.  Transformation.  It’s good to have goals to work towards, but we can get into trouble when we hold too tightly to them and that stifles God work.

I know that this coming year will have its ups and downs.  I also know that God is already in December 31, 2017 and has a wonderful plan for me.  He is in control and He will do whatever it takes to have His plans accomplished.

I’m excited, yet nervous at the same time.  I don’t like the unknowns but there is peace knowing that He knows and that He has the power to transform me to His Son, Jesus’, likeness.  This transformation may not be what I envision,  but it will be the best transformation ever.  Most importantly it will reflect the glory of Him who did the work.

 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB)

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