Higher Heights

Well, here we are in a New Year! I don’t know about you but I’m feeling  hopeful and my expectations are high. Usually I would already have had something written and posted by New Years or shortly afterwards. However, I really wanted to take my time.  I did quite a bit of evaluating on last year and I wanted to just ease into the New Year. I didn’t make any new resolutions. After much prayer and evaluation, I was led to eliminate those things that weren’t working for me, focus on and strengthen those areas that are working for me and continue to make progress.

Often times when we enter a new year, we feel pressured to make a whole bunch of new commitments and promises and start life over fresh. Nope. Not me.  Does that mean I won’t or can’t take on new things? It doesn’t mean that at all. What it does mean is that it is my goal to continue to make progress in the areas that God has been dealing with me on.  I’m going to continue to make the inner changes that will bring about continual progression. I’m going to continue to make steps in the direction of the dreams that God has put on the inside of  me. I’m going to continue to walk out my destiny.

That’s a whole bunch of words Wendy! Yeah, I know but I am reminded of the story of the Children of Israel (Please check it out and read it. It’s powerful. It starts in the book of Exodus.) and their journey to the promised land.  They encountered many obstacles and  setbacks on the journey. God had to deal with them on many different areas of their lives at many different points of their journey. He dealt with their lack of identity and belief in themselves. He dealt with their not really knowing who He was or who they were although they were His chosen people. He dealt with their impure motives, their impulsiveness, the tainted contents of their heart, their faulty thinking,  their disobedience, and their draw to the past. He dealt with them on their wanting the provisions of God without wanting to submit to God. All through their journey, He kept showing them who He was and who they were. It was a hard journey.  A whole bunch of folks didn’t make it but some did. He gave them many opportunities to make changes but He never changed the actual journey.  He provided for them all the way. He didn’t even allow their shoes  to wear out.  He purposed for them to make the full journey and enter into the place He  promised them.

Yes. Yes. My goal is to progress on my journey while God continues to deal with me and reveal Himself and myself to me so that I can fulfill the call of God on my life.  In times past, it’s been hard sometimes  but I have learned along the way. I’ve gotten closer to God. I have a greater understanding of His omnipotence and sovereignty. I had to get to know Him in ways I didn’t know Him before. I had to get to know Him as Restorer, Healer, Deliverer, The Lifter of my head and as The Lord of Host- the One who fights for me. Over the years I had to learn some things. I learned that I had areas of faulty thinking- that I didn’t always love right.  I had to learn what it meant to have discipline. I had to learn that no man, woman, boss, teacher, or any other human dictated my future or had control or power over my destiny!  I had to learn that God is for me, mindful of me and that His thoughts toward me are good! I had to learn that God was so much greater than me and that He actually had better plans for my life than I did and what He has for me is better than anything that I can possibly imagine.  Wow. I had to learn what it actually meant to walk by faith and have hope.  I had to learn that God was closer to me than I thought even when I couldn’t feel Him. I had to learn that even when friends disappointed me and were not there for me, He would never leave me nor forsake me.

I’ve had to learn and relearn a lot on my journey. But I believe that what God has taught me and what He continues to teach will not only give me fuel for the rest of my journey and help me to step into the place He has promised me, but it will enable me to help somebody else- to impact and impart into the lives of others along the way. 

So now, in the words and powerful message of my good friend, Minister Sharon Lawrence-Taylor, I “Just have to walk it out!“  I just have to finish strong.  So, that’s what I’m going to do this year and beyond.  I’m going to walk it out.  I’m going to continue to make progress. I’m going to continue to stir up my gifts and be unafraid to use them. I’m going to be unafraid to shine in hopes that the light which resonates through me will inspire others and lead them in the direction of the Christ.

What about you? I challenged you last year to get in the Word of God and pray more. I challenged you to get closer to God so you can know Him better.  I challenged you last year to allow Him to define you so you can live your best life and be His glory and praise in the earth. I challenged you to shine so others will be drawn to Christ by your light. What progress are you making? What direction are your feeting moving towards? What are your expectations? Are you waking up each day with great expectations? Are you expecting to walk in the promises of God? Well, start moving. Continue on your journey. Know that as you continue on, there will be a lot more to learn. There is still a lot of growing to do. There are still a lot of challenges to face. God is with you all the way. He has ordered your steps and His Word is a lamp unto your feet. He will guide you all the way into your promised place. Just don’t quit. Don’t stop putting one foot in front of the other.

Are you up for more challenges?  I hope you are because I am not stopping! I believe the promises of God will manifest in our lives as we continue to live for God and make progress! Let’s make it a great year and beyond!

Stay encouraged my friends and as always Stay in His presence!

Wendy M. Reynolds