Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Kerry Brock

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

This month – in it’s whirl of activity, shopping lists, planning and gatherings – has me contemplative. Where is my focus?

In business, in relationships, in life – every facet. Where is my focus? I am already writing down goals for 2017 and beyond. I’ve never really just written down the wild, out-of-this-world dreams I sometimes think about. Let me tell you… it’s actually pretty scary putting them on paper. But it’s also exciting. To let myself write things down that seem impossible. But, I have to remember. Nothing is impossible; as Audrey Hepburn said, “Even the word itself says, I’m-Possible”. And as Paul the Apostle said, in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

I want to live the life that Christ has for me. I want the life that is abundant; like Christ said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” [emphasis added]. I want to cling to promises like Psalm 37:4 that say, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Not so that we might get a bigger piece of some elusive pie… not so that we can all get rich and live that “American Dream”, with a two car garage and a mortgage and a car payment and a picket fence and two kids [a boy & a girl] and live someone else’s idea of a “perfect life”. (pift; what’s that?). Not a life more abundant in material things that wither and blow as dust on the earth. Not grant every whim of my heart; because if you read that Ps. 37:4 in context it says, “[3]Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. [5]Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and he shall bring it to pass.” [emphasis added]. If I am focused and committed to trusting in the Lord – Doing good – Committing my way unto the Lord: MY hearts desires will become the desires GOD has for me. And God delights to give good gifts to His children. He desires to bless and not curse. And through His blessings we can bless others.

My focus for 2017 will be more of You, Jesus, less of me. That may not be popular, but it will be more positive and life impacting than anything else I could think to resolve to commit to in the new year. And through that focus; everything else will become clear. I do want that abundant life Christ spoke of.. but I think it is not about what we get out of life… but what we give. We are all gifted in beautiful and unique ways! We are made for community; find your people and love them hard. Give them all you have and then some. I want to leave a legacy to those who come after me. I don’t want to sit on the skills and abilities I’ve been given and let them go to waste. I want to find more ways to share. To bless.