Relationships Instead of Resolutions

What could happen if we focused on relationships instead of resolutions in 2010? What will have to change in our lives to concentrate on our relationships with God and others?

Paul said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead,” (Philippians 3:10). Ouch! Share in His suffering? Does getting to know Christ and learning how He wants me to live mean sharing in His suffering?

Yes, my relationship with God is personal, painful and powerful. He made it personal with His love for me, painful by Christ's suffering on the cross for my sin and powerful in His resurrection. He did it all for me and you but it doesn’t mean anything to us unless we pursue Him. He said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened,” (Matthew 7:7-8).

In my seeking God I grew hungry and thirsty for everything about Him and I discovered only He quenches my thirsts and longings. Only He knows the desires of my heart. In my pursuing Him I found Him faithful. He became my refuge and strength, my joy and song. He gave me a new perspective and He is continually transforming me. For many years I was hung up on my past—divorce and broken relationships, but because of Jesus they do not define me. I can forget what is behind me and strain toward what is ahead, (Philippians 3:13).

God reached down to me in the messiness of my life and He loved me. In response I will spend my life loving Him and others. God can use the ashes of my life to speak to someone else who is hurting. “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands,” (Psalm 63: 3-4).