In a conversation recently, we were talking about how when New Year's falls on Friday, by the time we go back to work, it feels like we're behind. Sure enough, as this year began, the sense of being behind tried to creep up on me, bringing it's friend, discouragement.
Thankfully, just two days before the year ended, a friend had invited me to do some strategic planning (complete with a calendar) and so, I have visual proof of progress to throw in the face of discouragement.
Standing in front of that calendar, it dawned on me that our invisible God also provides proof to throw in the face of discouragement. Visible proof in His Word, in the incarnate Christ, and through the work of His Spirit. Additionally, as we make time to be still in His Presence, we can shore up our proof- leaning in to God's leading- by inviting Him to speak to us.
It does require giving God our undivided attention and being disciplined about it. Let's pray that for each other this week- that God would lead us to be more disciplined about giving God our undivided attention, the He might deploy us to the purposes He ordained for us before the world began.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1-3
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10