Daily PresenceSample

When January hits, we all ask one big question; “What’s your New Year's Resolution?!” Some of us answer firmly with hope in our eyes and others brush off the question while mumbling about the rather pathetic success rates. But let’s admit it, we’ve all tried it! We’ve all said at one point, “I’m getting a gym membership this year because I’m getting into the best shape of my life!” or, “I’m going to read my bible every day this year!” (hint, hint you’re doing a great job so far if you’re reading this ;). We make grandiose plans and within 30 days or less, they’re forgotten and replaced with our usual habits.

A few years back, I thought I’d found the answer to a successful resolution; a vision board! Now bear with me a moment before you judge me too hard. The concept, although a bit sketchy, is based on “pseudo-science.” According to some, when we write down our goals and keep them in front of us, we’re more likely to reach them. Great theory; if you’re privy to God’s yearly plan for your life :) I bought into the pseudo-science and gave it a try. Let’s just say, I had good intentions and I still love resolutions, but no “vision board” replaces God’s call on my life. When I simply “seek first His Kingdom,” making Him my ultimate “vision,” things happen that I don’t have the power to do myself.

I can’t help but empathize with Sarah as she walks through barrenness in Genesis. This woman probably made herself a vision board every year that said “get pregnant”, “take my prenatal vitamin every day” and “create an heir for Abram.” And every year, she was disappointed. I wonder how long she continued to hope? I wonder how many years passed before she gave up and stopped trying. And then, God speaks, and tells her she’s going to bear a child at 90 years old! She thinks “what a joke?” But God’s vision for her was bigger than her own. Not only would she bear a son, but she would become the mother of nations!

Genesis 17:15And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.16I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”17Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

God is capable of anything, and He is famous for doing the impossible. When we draw near to Him and seek His vision for our lives, we are not just writing some empty goals down on a piece of paper, we are joining together with the God of the Universe to build into His Kingdom!