What Do You See?
Lately I am overrun by the references to this new year being one of vision – 2020 vision to be precise. It’s quippy and clever. And I hope it’s true. But as I ease into the month of January, to be honest I am not seeing much. This past year was full and I have been feeling worn-out. So when I ask myself, What do you see?
Does #2020 have vision? What do you see? #WhatsAhead4Me Share on X
I see my need to refill my empty cup.
So I intentionally set aside the month of January as a sabbatical. I am keeping my calendar open, saying no to commitments, and limiting my social media involvement so that I can free up time.
How’s it going? Well, to be honest, I am not feeling filled yet. But I am not giving up. It is only January 14th after all.
I have been diligent about a couple of things since the new year began:
Getting exercise
Being in God’s Word
I am taking care of both my body and my soul.
What I Saw!
I found it interesting as I read a blog post recently written by my friend, Xochitl Dixon; she felt she had been so busy reading the word in order to fill others, that she neglected to hear from the Lord for herself.
BINGO.
I think I can relate. Every time I open the word, I am looking for meat to prepare a meal rather than receiving the meal to satisfy my own spiritual hunger.
This is why I need this month to reorient myself.
So as you begin this new year, what do you see? What do you hope? What do you need?
I am finding that the answers to all of those questions rest in my ability to rest in Him.
I hope your 2020 is filled with good things as you wait on Him. He sees you and what the months ahead will bring. And I know He will prepare you today for what is ahead tomorrow.
How do you #refill your cup when you've run dry? #NeedRefreshing Share on X
So how do you refill your cup when you’ve run dry? Be sure to leave a comment below and join the conversation. I know many could use some encouragement as we start a new year…including me!!
I’ll see you soon.
I am going back to filling my cup,
Jeanne
PS: today I took a prayer walk at a local labyrinth.
And, I am joining an online Bible study called, Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons. It is five sessions with online video and a study guide. Check out the resources below to order books, receive updates by email, and here is the link to join the study. It starts January 20th.
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I hear your heart, Jeanne. Each year I start early asking the Lord for HIS WORD for me for the coming year. This year HE seemed to be nudging me towards a day a week for “Sabbath Rest”…….this was going well until the end of November…..I was in the preparation of Christmas and somehow my one day a week took a back seat. I enjoy having more time with Him….enjoy the quietness…….His word for me this year is to pursue HIM, pursue peace. Thank you for revealing your heart.
Thanks, Jan/MOM. I am still not quite sure of my word for this year. Though I am not worried about it either. Right now it just seems like I need to renew.
I think the answer is exactly what you’re doing my dear friend. I’ve long heard people exclaim “I need a mental health day” as they call in to miss work. Perhaps, when we’ve spent a long season giving to everyone else, we take time to give to ourselves in the form of a “spiritual health day”, or maybe a month of them. For me, it’s getting away in nature, turning off the world (phone, etc.) and just seeking God through the world He created. However you find your path to being refilled, I pray you take time to enjoy the journey my friend. God’s blessings.
Thanks, J.D. I appreciate your encouraging words. A spiritual health day is exactly what I (and so many others too) need. A Biblical sabbatical would be a whole year of allowing life to rest. I wonder if that is doable sometimes LOL
Hi Jeanne,
I think part of our challenge as believers is rooted in expectations. The expectations others have of us as well as the expectations we have of ourselves. Jesus had many people expecting Him to meet their needs. However, the gospels show us that even Jesus needed to get away by Himself to be with the Father. He even encouraged His disciples to step away from the crowds. Our dilemma is that although we mentally acknowledge the need for Sabbath rest, we don’t necessarily practice what we preach as if we know better than Jesus. Thanks for setting an example and reminder we all need to take to heart.
So true, Sheree. We need a full vessel in order to pour out. So I am taking this time to refuel.
I am not on my email that often but today I was quickly checking and stopped at your post “What Do You See?” I hadn’t given it much thought as to what 2020 will bring and where things are headed. 2019 was a very difficult year with many health concerns so I slid into 2020 thinking it would be more of the same. I read what your Mom wrote and I started to pray and ask what my WORD would be for 2020 and before I even finished that prayer the word Encouragement came to me very clearly. As I thought about it I knew I needed to be doing more of it than I have been. The unexpected happened when 3 times I was encouraged today. First and second were from people who told me I was doing so much better and looked better and the third was a surprise book in the mail from my Daughter-in-law Danielle
She knows how much I love horses and had sent me a wonderful large size book of horses from all over the world done by an award winning photographer. It is stunning and I see God’s handy work there in one of his beautiful creations. I am grateful for those encouragement that were mine today. God is so good.
Jan, What a wonderful answer to your prayer!! He is a God of encouragement and I am excited to see how 2020 unfolds for you. Thanks for sharing this with me
Jeanne, when I read your sentence, “I am finding that the answers to all of those questions rest in my ability to rest in Him,” I immediately thought of Rebekah Lyons’s study. My Bible study group is working through it now, and I’m loving it! I hope you find it as enriching as I have. Blessings!
LuAnn, I have just started this study this week and yes, I am enjoying it also. Thanks for sharing this!! Praying for you as you seek Him during this season too.