I hope you and yours have had a wonderful Christmas season. I can’t believe it’s already December 31st and the year 2012 is coming to a close. It truly has flown by for me. I can’t believe we stand on the horizon of yet another year. However, I’m excited, expectant and eager to see how God proves Himself faithful over and over again in my life. I know that He can open doors that no man can shut. I know that He can do miracles where we struggle to dream it’s even possible. 2013 is going to bring several new projects being released from me including two new CD’s you’ll be hearing about very soon. Sparrow will turn two in February. I’ll celebrate being married for ten years in August. I’m sure they’ll be a long list of opportunities and blessings to share this time next year as I reflect on all 2013 brought to the table.
Yesterday, I was helping lead worship at a worship night event at my church for our high schoolers. Throughout the night I kept thinking about finishing well. Over the past couple weeks I’ve known many people impacted by death. Some expected, some not. Just this week an extended family member and also a church friend both passed away prematurely. We truly don’t know how much time we have here on earth. I’m grateful that these friends have gone home to be with Jesus. (I can say that with confidence because they had a relationship with Jesus and lived it out in their life.) As I sang these songs with a lyric about Heaven and us singing praises for eternity I couldn’t help but think of these faithful servants whose time here on earth is no more. Today, they stand in eternity singing their praises face to face to their Savior!
As we enter 2013 I want to run my race well. I want to run it in a way that I won’t have to give up or sit down to mend an injury. I want to run my race in a way to finish well and win the race God has set for me. I have a burning flame inside of me to make Jesus loud in my life and let others experience and know His love because of my life. I want to do the things God calls me to do. To live and honor Him each day. And when that Day comes and I get to Heaven, I want to hear “Well done”.
Hebrews 12:1-3 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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (NIV ©1984)