So many people spend time listing out their New Year's Resolutions like: I'm going to lose weight, going to exercise more, going to keep the house clean, or I'm going to save money and recycle more. For me this year, I have taken on a completely different approach. While setting these resolutions are great for many, for me it is just another "to-do" list of which I have too many already. This year, I decided that my New Year's Resolution was to figure out the "Inside and Out" of Me! What makes me the inner me function and want to get up in the morning and continue living day to day. Yes, I know - WHAT! Well - that's the reason I chose the name of this blog "Inside-Out" - a vulnerable realization of life.
I've started this journey a few days ago with the beginning of a church sponsored "Daniel-Fast". A fast that concentrates on replacing bad food with spiritual food and filling up on a deeper understanding of who we are and what our purpose is on earth. It's a time to let go of the foods that consume us and that are not good for us like sugars, fats, meats, caffeine, breads, and chemicals...and a time to substitute that love with something else that can be just as powerful....a spiritual fulfillment. So I've given up all the above mentioned items and drinking tons of water, and lots and lots of fruits, vegetables, and nuts....and yes the withdrawal headaches have already started. But I know they are short lived.
Today at church was a confirmation of this walk that I have chosen for this year. It was a very simple service and talked about how he wanted to challenge his church family to be vulnerable and to let down their walls and barriers and get real with God. He had the deacons pass out papers to everyone and asked us to write down on the paper what our Spiritual Resolutions were for this year. He said that anyone can write down resolutions, but it takes a humble being to acknowledge where they are spiritually and write down their weaknesses...places in our life where we know God wants improvement in our lives or with our actions and thoughts. After we wrote down items on the paper, he asked us to come up in front of the congregation and lay he paper at the foot of the cross and make a commitment to lean on God to improve on those things written on that paper. He said that he would personally gather all these papers and pray for each individual request. i will have to say...I had tears scroll down my face during these moments. It was so real and so touching for me to actually stop and acknowledge where I thought God wanted improvement in my life. I know there are areas in my life that I have held control over and not let the holy spirit work - I guess that is why the emotion overcame me today.
It's not important to list here what the three things that I wrote down this morning, for God knows what those are, but what is important is that I acknowledged that I am far from perfect and need a spiritual kick in the pants this year. So from here on out - my blogs will be the vulnerable side of me and the realization that all is going to be ok with the Holy Spirit on my side.
